This Sunday afternoon, the Aiglons were on the road to face Angers in the 3rd round of the Ligue 1 2024/25 season. The Gym had an impressive performance and deservedly won (4-1), despite some scares in the second half.
Still searching for their first victory of the season, OGC Nice was up against a newly promoted team, Angers, in another away game. A week after the draw against Toulouse (1-1), the ambition for Nice was clear: to claim all three points at the end of the match. This would finally kickstart the new red and black season.
Regarding the lineup, Franck Haise made two changes to the starting eleven. Badredine Bouanani and Youssouf Ndayishimiye returned to the Nice squad. Pablo Rosario and Antoine Mendy made way for them. Lastly, the Gym’s two latest recruits, Mohamed Abdelmonem and Youssoufa Moukoko, began the match on the bench.
Explosive start for the Gym!
The Nice players started this match very strongly. After two early chances, OGC Nice quickly opened the scoring, a little over five minutes after the kickoff. With a superb header, Youssouf Ndayishimiye sent Jonathan Clauss‘ corner into the back of the net (0-1). A magnificent start for the Aiglons!
Against an opponent shaky in defense, the Gym created many opportunities in this first half. It was only logical that Hicham Boudaoui extended the lead (1-2). After another ball was recovered in the opposition’s half, Tanguy Ndombele set up his teammate with a magnificent backheel. The Algerian midfielder won his one-on-one to double the score, rewarding a very good first half for OGC Nice!
The Aiglons get a scare in the second half
The beginning of the second half was a bit tougher for the Gym. A little overconfident, the Aiglons had a few scares from Angers’ opportunities. In this game, Franck Haise‘s men were logically punished. An hour into the game, Moïse Bombito conceded a penalty and received a second yellow card, resulting in a dismissal. Himad Abdelli converted the penalty and brought Angers back into the match (1-2). A frustrating situation as the Gym had control of the match.
The Aiglons played with a numerical disadvantage for a good half-hour. But Dante‘s teammates managed to regain control. After a solid play by Jérémie Boga, Evann Guessand pushed the ball into the back of the net (1-3). The Gym breathed a huge sigh of relief! The Gym’s scorer sealed the match with a double a few minutes later (1-4).
Now it’s time for the season’s first international break. OGC Nice will return on Saturday, September 14. The Aiglons will take on OM at the Stade Vélodrome in the 4th round of Ligue 1. Kickoff for this derby is at 5 p.m.
