At the end of another very lively match at the Allianz Riviera, OGC Nice won (2-1) against Strasbourg this Sunday. Undefeated at home after 12 days of Ligue 1, the Rouge et Noir returned to the top 5 in the standings.
“Never give up.” This could be the motto of OGC Nice version 2024-2025. As before the international break, the Allianz Riviera once again vibrated to the rhythm of a great comeback from its Aiglons this Sunday. As against Monaco (2-1 on October 27), Twente (2-2, November 7) and Lille (2-2, November 10), the Gym came back after being behind. But unlike these two meetings, the Aiglons won this evening, on the 12th day of Ligue 1.
Opposed to a playful and offensive Strasbourg team, Franck Haise's men once again overturned the table, with aggression and determination. For the first time in the current exercise, Dante and his partners appeared on the pitch arranged in 4-3-3. A tactical change which required a few minutes of adjustment for the Aiglons used to operating with a base of 3 axials.
SOFIANE DIOP turned on the light
At ease against the big leagues, like these successes against Rennes (J2, 3-1) and against OM (J6, 1-0), Strasbourg took the match from the right end, hampering the Gym with its speed and the power of its attackers in transition. Particularly dangerous in the opposing camp, it was Dilane Bakwa who punished the Niçois, taking advantage of a recovery error and a good shift from Félix Lemaréchal to adjust Marcin Bułka in the area (0-1, 20th).
Stung, the Red and Black then reacted. A revolt bearing the seal of two men: Mohamed-Ali Cho and Sofiane Diop. Aligned on the right side of the attack, the first named made the opposing defense suffer with his liveliness and his strength in the duels. Difficult to take one-on-one, the former Real Sociedad never stopped bringing danger to Djordje Petrovic's goal, without being rewarded. His overflow leading to Boudaoui's center towards Boga did nothing (22nd), nor did his good opening towards Louchet, whose center was not well negotiated by Guessand full axis (29th).
But the light ended up coming from his friend's foot. Established for the first time this season in Ligue 1, positioned in the heart of the game, Diop continued, in line with his saving entry against Lille before the break. A constant solution for his partners, the attacking midfielder made a magnificent opening from deep to respond to Melvin Bard's good call. After a move worthy of a pure attacker, the Gym left-back did not tremble to adjust Petrovic (1-1, 54th).
The gym caused his success
Scorer for the first time in 2024-2025, Bard came to materialize the very good start to the second act of a Gym already close to equalizing by Boudaoui, first too altruistic (47th), then countered by Petrovic (53rd). More aggressive on both surfaces, technically enterprising and sharp in their pressing, the Aiglons continued to put Racing in difficulty.
They were finally rewarded after a new serve from Diop, slightly too long to be recovered by Guessand. But as this Gym never gives up, Nice's top scorer this season put pressure on Abakar Sylla, who deceived his goalkeeper by wanting to serve him from behind (2-1, 62nd). In success, the residents of the Allianz Riviera provoked their luck by pushing their opponent into a mistake.
HEADING FOR EUROPE
Determined to get back into the game, the Alsatians threw their last strength into the battle at the end of the match, but Mara (71st) and Bakwa (86th) were unable to deceive Bułka's vigilance. And the locals could have even worsened the score at the end of the game if Petrovic had not stood out in front of Bard (90th+3) then Laborde (90th+4).
Undefeated since the start of the season at the Allianz Riviera, the Aiglons also extend their unbeaten streak to eight matches in the league. Repositioned in 5th place in the rankings thanks to this success, Guessand and his team will be able to calmly look towards a new big deadline to come: it will again be at home, Thursday evening, but in the Europa League this time, where they will still have to showing resilience and talent to defeat Glasgow Rangers.
Hugo Rondet
