The Gym shared the points with Rennes at the end of an animated match. Facing a solid visitor, Lucien Favre’s group couldn’t find the key. Nevertheless, they remain in the race for European spots.
The Gym aimed for victory. The draw benefits Rennes more and maintains the status quo. This could sum up the 32nd day in the Plaine du Var.
High stakes and a big battle: the 22 players exchanged blow for blow during the first 45 minutes. Positioned in a 4-4-2, with a medium and ultra-compact block, Rennes initially refused to defend deep and went to challenge the Eagles in the midfield, relying on the strength of its two center-backs (Gnagnon and Gélin) to manage the depth. Then, during the second half of the match, the Breton group retreated and attempted to strike on quick counterattacks.
The Gym, placed in a 4-3-3, searched for solutions in its most classic style. Through short play and switches to move their opponent, through rapid wing play to hurt them. In a duel where there weren’t many chances (2 shots on target for the Gym, 3 for Rennes), the Azurians relied on their in-form player to take the lead. Assisted by Le Marchand, Plea dribbled past Bourigeaud and launched a shot that, helped by Gélin’s back, beat Koubek shortly after the quarter-hour mark (1-0, 16′). A fair reward for the March Eagle, who displayed great conviction in every action and was, once again, the most prominent Niçoise of the day.
Despite this advantage, Sabri Lamouchi’s men never seemed on the brink of collapse. On the contrary, they continued to resist and pose a threat. On an innocuous throw-in (at least initially…), Zeffane delivered a precise cross and the excellent Bourigeaud, in motion, volleyed to level the score (1-1, 27′).
The two scorers nearly restored the lead for their sides before halftime, but Plea, found by Lees-Melou in the box, was twice denied by the Rennes defense (35′). Shortly after, Bourigeaud recovered the ball and attempted a 50-meter shot, which Benitez had to stretch for (37′).
A powerful shot from Plea punched away by Koubek and narrowly missed by Lees-Melou – by a few centimeters – (50′) and a sequence from the same PLM, ending with a blocked shot, kicked off the second half. And proved that the Gym would push to take the lead, facing the South.
Plea launched Saint-Maximin into orbit with a “chest, ground control, and firm pass” transition. Number 7 left Bensebaini behind but missed the target (56′). Nice pressed and pressed. Rennes started to seriously retreat, dug in, and tried to strike during their rare outings.
Despite this scenario and clear domination in the first 20 minutes of the second half, a strange blend gradually settled at the Allianz Riviera. The match ended with a false rhythm, without madness. Without fever. The entry of Mika Le Bihan – the good news of the day – in the last 10 minutes was not enough to alter the course of the match.
A scenario that left both adversaries tied and preserved the Bretons’ lead by one point.
Now, 6 matches remain for the men of the County to overtake their opponents from the day at a distance.
LUCIEN FAVRE’S REACTION
“In the first half, it wasn’t good. There was no rhythm, no movement up front. There was too little drive with the ball, we made too many lateral passes that were useless. We didn’t provide solutions by moving, by pressing. To disturb the opponents, you need to bring rhythm; we didn’t put enough of it. We scored on a deflected shot, luckily, and we got caught too quickly. After the break, it was much better. There was more risk-taking, more chances, a bit more movement although it was insufficient. We must acknowledge that we faced a good team. The conceded goal? I didn’t see it well, but indeed, it was on a basic action… on a throw-in, it’s not possible. Besides that, Rennes had breakout chances, a few overflows from Sarr but otherwise, we had the best opportunities.”
ALASSANE PLÉA’S REACTION
“We had the match in hand but didn’t put in all the necessary ingredients. Honestly, there was room for more, we were a bit ahead in the second half, we had the chances and didn’t convert them. We need to do a bit more, we are at home, we must win. We remain in the running, but these are points lost in the race for Europe. However, we’re not far behind. Everyone is close, no team is really breaking away. It’s going to be played out until the end, we know it. We will need to be strong and win as many matches as possible.”
