PLAYER RATINGS | Nice 2-0 Rennes: Unbeaten Aiglons regain top spot

OGC Nice hosted struggling Stade Rennais this Sunday night with a view to reclaim top spot in Ligue 1. Francesco Farioli’s unbeaten side could have gone ahead immediately had Khéphren Thuram not fired wide his one-on-one against Steve Mandanda. Les Aiglons were the most enterprising side on the pitch whilst Rennes found it difficult to find any flaws in one of Europe’s finest defenses. Marcin Bulka had to stay alert to deflect Benjamin Bourigeaud’s vicious effort.

The hosts were heavily reliant on Jeremie Boga’s dribbling ability to disrupt Rennes’ defence. The Ivory Coast international, who is in fine form recently, has been the game’s best player by a mile. It was only right then for him to open the scoring just before half-time. Jean-Clair Todibo’s cross-field pass found Terem Moffi on the right. Lorenz Assignon made a hash of clearing the Nigerian international’s cross with Boga showing composure to beat Mandanda at point-blank range. Once again, Bruno Genesio’s side were let down by individual mistakes and non-league-level defending.

Nice missed the opportunity to double their lead with Mandanda coming up big to deny Hicham Boudaoui. Nice’s Farioli-induced spells of coordinated and relentless pressing were on show at the Allianz Riviera. Rennes had virtually no control in midfield with Nemanja Matic notably looking his age (35). All that was missing from Les Aiglons‘ team performance was more ruthlessness in their opponents’ penalty box. The hosts made matters harder for themselves with Youssouf Ndayishimiye being given his marching orders. The Burundian midfielder was initially shown a yellow card, but his knee-high lunge on Enzo Le Fée was deemed worth a red card.

With a man out, Nice closed up shop, inviting pressure from Les Rouge et Noir. Amine Gouiri went close with the header when Bulka was beaten. Rennes’ spell was short-lived though. Substitute Sofiane Diop’s mazy run and precise pass found Evann Guessand, whose upcoming duel with Mandanda was denied with Warmed Omari lunging into him. The Rennes centre-back was sent off. Diop’s following free-kick rebounded off the bar into Mandanda’s back and in the latter’s net. Game over. Nice are leaders again after with an impressive output of seven wins and four draws. Rennes remain in midtable, so far away from the Champions League places they once aimed.

Nice players ratings

Marcin Bulka, 6

Pablo Rosario, 5

Jean-Clair Todibo, 7 – The France international dominated his surroundings and was faultless in his positioning as well as in the duels. Excellent too in his ball-carrying play. Arguably one of Ligue 1’s best centre-backs this season.

Dante, 5

Melvin Bard, 5

Youssouf Ndayishimiye, 4

Hicham Boudaoui, 5

Khéphren Thuram, 5

Gaëtan Laborde, 5

Terem Moffi, 6

Jeremie Boga, 8 – The Ivory Coast international’s purple patch continued tonight. The former Sassuolo man was absolutely electric, displaying blistering pace and looking so at ease in dribbling past Rennes players left and right. His first shot on target ended in Mandanda’s net. At €16m, he looks a bargain now!

Others: Sofiane Diop, 7

Rennes players ratings

Steve Mandanda, 6

Lorenz Assignon, 3 – The right-back’s “air-clearance” prior to Boga’s opener was the deciding moment of the game. Rennes are making a habit of handing their opponents easy goals and this time, the ordeal fell on the right-back.

Warmed Omari, 3

Jeanuël Belocian, 5

Adrien Truffert, 5

Nemanja Matic, 4

Benjamin Bourigeaud, 5

Enzo Le Fée, 3

Ludovic Blas, 4

Martin Terrier, 4 – For his first start in over ten months, the talismanic Rennes forward was comprehensively out of pace and expertly handled by Todibo and Dante. Replaced at the hour mark by Désiré Doué.

Amine Gouiri, 3

GFFN | Bastien Cheval