For this match, Patrick Vieira decides to line up in a 4-3-3 formation. Benitez, the indomitable Argentine goalkeeper, is in goal. In central defense, we have the Brazilian duo of Danilo and Dante. On the left side, Hรฉrelle starts, and Malang Sarr, making his big return, plays on the right. In midfield, Cyprien and Claude-Maurice are once again paired and are accompanied by Pierre Lees-Melou. Finally, in attack, Adam Ounas is on the left wing and Myziane Maolida on the right, replacing Ganago. Kasper Dolberg is at the spearhead of the attack.
The Gym starts this match very strongly with heavy pressure in the Rennes camp. Cyprien and Lees-Melou recover a lot of balls and quickly pass them to the wingers. These players often find themselves in good positions to cross, creating great opportunities to open the scoring for the Gym.
Ounas, for example, in the 16th minute, delivers a perfect left-footed cross to Claude-Maurice, who is alone at the penalty spot. However, the latter aims too precisely, and the ball grazes Mendy’s left post.
Dolberg also cuts the trajectory on a mid-height cross from Maolida. The Dane executes a backheel that surprises the Rennes goalkeeper, and the ball crashes onto the crossbar (32nd minute).
At the end of the first half, the two teams are level. This first act was very lively, with both teams being forward-looking in their attempts to open the scoring, thus leaving spaces behind their defenses.
As the second half begins, the Nice team takes advantage of an unfortunate event to score the first goal of the match. Indeed, during a run from Lees-Melou, Rennes defender Mexer injures his hamstring and collapses on the field. This allows the Nice midfielder to penetrate the Rennes defense and find Dolberg at the far post, who just needs to push the ball into the back of the net (47th minute).
However, this goal acts as a wake-up call for the Rennes team, which regains control and dominates the rest of the match. The Nice team then dangerously retreats, allowing the Bretons to create numerous opportunities.
The Azur team manages to resist until the 80th minute. Flavien Tait seizes the opportunity during a duel between Niang and Danilo to recover the ball in the box and beats Benitez with an unstoppable half-volley at the penalty spot.
In the end, neither team is able to score another goal.
This point does not benefit either team, especially not OGC Nice, which might see many of its pursuers overtake them by the end of the day.
