Declared outsiders of this championship, OGC Nice and Stade Rennais approach 2025 with a feeling of revenge. These two Ligue 1 strongholds have blown hot and cold in recent months. And for this restart match, it was the Aiglons who took on the role of favorite. Well placed in sixth place, Franck Haise’s team had its greatest successes at the Allianz Riviera this season. A success allowed him to carry out a great operation.
In front, Rennes
was expected around the corner after a particularly disappointing first part of the season. Stuck in the soft underbelly, the Breton club took a 180-degree turn by banking on the experience of Seko Fofana to revive itself. The Ivorian international, who met his former coach again in Lens, did not have the legs to start this match. An undecided balance of power in which the Aiglons had the last word.
Guessand, the strong man of Nice
More effective in the two zones of truth, Franck Haise’s men made the difference thanks to Evan Guessand. It was he who broke the deadlock after a superb call in the twelfth minute of play (1-0, 12th). It was he, again, who allowed Nice to take off before half-time by delivering a marvelous offering to Laborde for the 3-1 goal (3-1, 45th+5).
In the meantime, a wind of madness had swept through the Nice arena. Rennes managed to resurface with a great achievement from Kalimuendo, well served by Blas (1-1, 27th). But Diop then took advantage of a restart error from Mandanda to restore the advantage to the Niçois (2-1, 34th). A turning point, certainly. Stung in their pride, the Rennais had the resources to reduce the score by Truffert after returning from the locker room (3-2, 49th), but the Aiglons held on to maintain this advantage. Nice is off to a good start in 2025.
