After a cataclysmic defeat at home against Strasbourg (0-3), the Gym traveled to the field of a direct competitor in the Ligue 1 standings. Indeed, this Sunday, December 12, for this 18th day of the League, they faced Stade Rennais, fifth in the standings.
The match started strong with a lot of intensity in the duels.
For now, it’s the Rennes side who are controlling the ball, multiplying passes in the Nice camp (5th).
The first chance is for the Bretons one minute later, from a corner Laborde heads it but it’s not on target and doesn’t trouble Benitez.
Crosses are raining down on the Nice goal early in the match, Rennes have possession and are making Nice suffer.
On one of the first possessions for Nice, the Gym counter and manage to win a corner! (16th). On this corner, Santamaria hits Dante. The referee blows for a penalty for OGC Nice.
Dolberg converts it by shooting powerfully down the middle. 0-1 for the Eaglets in the 19th minute.
21st, Rennes respond also from a corner. Aguerd heads it, it hits the post!
Kluivert is on fire! Thanks to him, the Gym could have extended their lead, the Dutchman does very good work on the left side and serves Dolberg. The Dane shoots but Gomis makes an exceptional save (32nd).
A lot of intensity and electricity in this match, every duel is contested. Rennes hold the ball at the end of the first half.
Great chance for Dolberg again in the 45th. From a cross by Boudaoui, Dolberg controls and brings the ball in and sends a powerful shot just over Gomis’s goalposts.
Rennes wants to quickly set the pace at the start of the second half.
But Nice manage to regain the ball, a phase of possession for the Gym and it leads to 2-0!
Atal scores an exceptional goal with loads of power (50th). Set up by Dolberg, the Algerian full-back sends a heavy first-time shot that finishes under Gomis’s bar!
A big chance for Rennes who want to get back in the game right away. Majer leaves Lontomba in the dust and pulls back for Martin who shoots, his shot is deflected and the Eaglets immediately move forward.
Gouiri leads the counter, gives to Dolberg who shoots, it goes just wide of the goal (53rd).
A long-range strike from Martin, who poses danger on the Azuréens’ goal. Benitez deflects it but the Rennes side are determined and keep the ball. With a beautiful team move, Sulemana crosses for Guirassy who fails to connect but Bourigeaud is there and puts the ball in the net! 1-2 in the 58th, the match is back on.
Rennes are on fire! Another huge chance. Sulemana shoots from distance, Benitez punches it out but it comes back to Laborde who can’t finish properly (62nd).
With a little less than 20 minutes remaining, the Eaglets are suffering and closer to conceding than scoring.
The Nice players are no longer getting hold of the ball, the Rennes have been in the Nice camp for more than 10 minutes. There are 5 minutes left to hold on.
The Rennes are inches from the goal! Assignion rises above everyone on a cross and places his header at the foot of the post. Walter Benitez pulls off a miraculous save and prevents OGC Nice from equalizing 2 minutes before the end of regular time.
One of the last chills of this match on a free kick from Majer from 30 meters out, calmly caught by the Azuréen goalkeeper (92nd).
End of the match! Very important win for OGC Nice on the field of one of their direct competitors in the standings. A very complicated match but all the Azuréens applied themselves and gave their all to achieve this result.
With this victory, Nice temporarily moves back to third in the championship standings.
