On August 23, 2020, Nîmes Olympique hosted Stade Brestois 29 at the Stade des Costières in the opening weekend of the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season. Nîmes secured an impressive 4-0 victory, starting their campaign with a dominant performance.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Nîmes: 4 (Birger Meling 8′, Romain Philippoteaux 31′, Moussa Koné 36′, Kevin Denkey 84′)
- Brest: 0
- Possession:
- Brest had 61% possession, while Nîmes had 39%. Despite Brest’s control of possession, Nîmes were much more efficient with the ball, capitalizing on their chances with devastating counter-attacks.
- Shots:
- Nîmes registered 11 shots, with 5 on target, converting four of those into goals, showing clinical finishing. Brest managed 13 shots but only had 4 on target, with none resulting in goals.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Brest had a passing accuracy of 86%, completing 584 passes out of 679 attempts. Nîmes, on the other hand, had a passing accuracy of 77%, completing 305 passes out of 396 attempts. Despite Brest’s superior passing statistics, Nîmes used their direct and quick play to exploit defensive weaknesses.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Nîmes made 18 tackles compared to Brest’s 13, reflecting Nîmes’ defensive organization and pressing to win back possession quickly. Nîmes’ defense, led by Anthony Briançon, managed to keep Brest’s attack at bay and secure a clean sheet.
- Set Pieces:
- Nîmes opened the scoring early through Birger Meling in the 8th minute after a well-executed set-piece from a corner. They doubled their lead in the 31st minute when Romain Philippoteaux scored with a powerful shot after a quick counter-attack. Moussa Koné added the third in the 36th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error, while Kevin Denkey completed the rout in the 84th minute with a close-range finish following another fast break.
- Individual Performances:
- Birger Meling had a standout debut for Nîmes, not only scoring the opening goal but also contributing significantly in both attack and defense. Moussa Koné and Romain Philippoteaux were also instrumental, with Koné causing problems for Brest’s defense and scoring the third goal. Kevin Denkey came off the bench to add a fourth late in the game. For Brest, goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur made several key saves but was ultimately overwhelmed by Nîmes’ attacking efficiency.
- Tactical Overview:
- Nîmes, managed by Jérôme Arpinon, employed a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on quick counter-attacks and direct play. Their ability to transition quickly from defense to attack caught Brest off guard multiple times. Brest, under Olivier Dall’Oglio, used a 4-4-2 formation but struggled to cope with Nîmes’ pace on the counter and defensive solidity.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw one yellow card for each team. Nîmes’ Lucas Deaux was booked in the 45th minute, while Brest’s Haris Belkebla received a yellow card in the 56th minute. Both fouls were tactical, aimed at stopping counter-attacks.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Nîmes won 5 corners compared to Brest’s 6, reflecting the relatively balanced nature of set-piece opportunities. Both teams were caught offside twice, showing their efforts to push forward and create scoring chances.
Summary
Nîmes’ 4-0 victory over Brest was an impressive start to their Ligue 1 campaign, showcasing their efficiency and sharpness in attack. Despite Brest dominating possession, Nîmes’ direct approach and clinical finishing were key to their success. Birger Meling’s early goal set the tone, and further strikes from Romain Philippoteaux, Moussa Koné, and Kevin Denkey ensured a comprehensive victory.
Brest, despite their control of the ball, struggled to break through Nîmes’ defense and were repeatedly exposed on the counter-attack. While they created a few chances, they lacked the cutting edge needed to threaten Nîmes’ goal.
This result gave Nîmes a confidence boost early in the season, while Brest needed to reassess their defensive approach after being punished for their lack of organization.
