Faced with Rennes who confirmed their renewed confidence, Nice recorded their third defeat in a row away from home (2-0), Saturday, during the 18th day of Ligue 1. Despite this setback, the Aiglons remain second in Ligue 1 , with 35 points, but they do not benefit from the home defeat of their immediate pursuer, Monaco, against Reims (1-3) and they could see Paris SG further expand their lead by 5 units, in Lens, on Sunday.
For Rennes either, the effect in the ranking is not spectacular, with a 10th place (22 pts) still unsatisfactory. But the Reds and Blacks, winners in Clermont at the end of the first leg (3-1), had never had two victories in Ligue 1 this season. By adding the success at Guingamp (2-0) in the Coupe de France last Sunday, the great dynamic is confirmed for the Bretons. Coach Julien Stephan had perfectly deciphered the Nice game in a pre-match press conference and assured that he had worked on specific points. His plan worked wonderfully by completely neutralizing the opposing midfielder.
He does not seem to be the only one, since Nantes (2-0) and Le Havre (3-1) had also found the solution before the break and Francesco Farioli will undoubtedly have to find some ideas to make his team less predictable. After ten fumbling minutes, and even though possession was largely favorable to the visitors, Rennes gradually moved closer to the cages. A missed header from Arnaud Kalimuendo (10th), after a very well-timed opportunity, and three saves from Marcin Bulka, on a shot by Benjamin Bourigeaud with his bad left foot (16th), on a low shot from Martin Terrier of land (22nd) and during a face-to-face with Kalimuendo (24th), had been free warnings.
But the Polish goalkeeper ended up cracking on a penalty for a handball from Rosario on a header from Terrier, transformed by the local specialist, Bourigeaud (1-0, 31st). If the end of the first period was more difficult for Rennes, Steve Mandanda making a good save on a header from Gaëtan Laborde (34th), Nice died down again upon returning from the locker room, finding its senatorial form. The Azuréens were quickly punished: on a second ball won in the central circle, Enzo Le Fée sent an opening love to Kalimuendo, who doubled the lead (2-0, 54th). The Le Fée-Kalimuendo axis had already been that of the second goal at Guingamp six days earlier.
Unfortunately for Rennes, Le Fée, very good throughout the match, then left after complaining about his adductors, and his replacement, Fabian Rieder, was also injured a few minutes after his entry. In a midfield that is still fragile and is on the verge of losing Nemanja Matic, who returned to Rennes, but most likely to pack his bags, these injuries are not trivial. Especially as a 16th Cup final against Marseille is looming, then a trip to Lyon in the league, not to mention the Europa League play-off against AC Milan in February, which will be important turning points in a season which is not yet condemned.