The Aiglons still have a clear lead over the Bretons at the dawn of 2025. OGC Nice beat Stade Rennais on Friday as part of the 16th day of Ligue 1 (3-2). Evan Guessand (12th), Sofiane Diop (24th) and Gaëtan Laborde (45th+5) scored the Nice goals in the first period. The achievements of Arnaud Kalimuendo (27th) and Adrien Truffert (49th) and the debut of Seko Fofana were not enough for visitors who were still very hesitant. Nice is 4th with 10 points more than Rennes 12th.
In this duel of clubs with a vague project, the Niçois immediately showed more offensive will and sharpness. They forced Steve Mandanda to intervene at the entrance to the area and then divert a header from Laborde who was however offside (10th). On the other hand, the visitors' goalkeeper could only bow when Tanguy Ndombélé made a sublime and long axial opening towards Guessand who dominated Mikayil Faye and sent the ball to the back of the net (1-0, 12th).
Guilty and weakened mandate
Trailing by the score, the Rennais shook themselves up more and were able to equalize after a nice ball release from Mandanda and Faye then relayed nicely by Ludovic Blas to find Kalimuendo in the zone of truth (1-1, 27th). The match was decidedly decided on the revival of the goalkeepers, it shifted to a huge error at the foot of Mandanda who sent the ball directly to Diop in the middle of his area and allowed Nice to regain the advantage (2-1, 34th ). Very effective, the Niçois struck again on the counter-attack just before the break thanks to the work of Guessand concluded closely by Laborde (3-1, 45th + 5).
With 4 shots, 3 on target and 3 goals in the first period, the Gym could rub their hands while Faye and Mandanda, inevitably weakened by the rumors of a possible arrival of Brice Samba, joined the locker room with their heads down. Their coach Jorge Sampaoli, however, took matters into his own hands and launched Amine Gouiri in place of the draft Albert Gronbaek (46th). His men reacted and quickly reduced the score thanks to their Truffert pistons which followed a good strike from Lorenz Assignon, poorly negotiated by Marcin Bulka (3-2, 49th).
Fofana in small form
Rennes had revived while Nice was passive and everything became possible again. The Aiglons, however, raised their heads and Hicham Bouadoui forced Mandanda to make a first save on a powerful attempt (57th). Rennes winter recruit Fofana came into play (63rd) and tried to bring percussion to the midfield but clearly lacked the legs and lucidity to make a difference.
The Bretons never displayed the necessary offensive power and it was more Nice who could have once again shaken the net with a missile from Boudaoui crashing into the crossbar (79th). Le Gym didn't even tremble after Pablo Rosario's expulsion at the start of added time and remains undefeated on home soil this season. Rennes relapsed after successes against Angers in L1 and Bordeaux in the Cup. Behind the scenes as well as on the pitch, there remains a lot of work for the Breton club.
