Nice secured their position firmly within the upper echelon of Ligue 1 with a convincing 4-2 victory over Rennes at the Allianz Riviera, showcasing the talent and depth of their squad. The match, pivotal for both teams, illustrated not only the prowess of Les Aiglons but also highlighted the continued struggles of Rennes on the road.
Right from the opening whistle, Nice made their intentions clear. The hosts capitalized on their early attacking momentum when Tanguy Ndombele, after playing a sublime through ball, helped Evann Guessand to outmaneuver Steve Mandanda. Guessand finished with precision, placing the ball past the Rennes goalkeeper to give Nice the lead.
Despite their early success, Nice faced a setback midway through the first half when Rennes leveled the score. A swift counterattack saw Ludovic Blas deliver a perfectly weighted pass to Armand Kalimuendo, who made no mistake, firing past Nice's Marcin Bułka. This equalizer injected new life and confidence within the Rennes side, but unfortunately, their tactical discipline faltered shortly thereafter.
Mandanda, having initiated the move leading to the equalizer, made the mistake of delivering a weak pass directly to Sofiane Diop. The Nice midfielder capitalized on the error, firing home to restore the lead and send the home crowd back to its feet. With the momentum swinging back to Nice, the situation for the visitors began to look increasingly grim.
It was just before halftime when Nice struck again, showcasing their sharp attacking instinct. Adrien Truffert attempted to cross for Lorenz Assignon but lost possession instead. Nice’s pounced on the opportunity, with Guessand executing a beautiful cross to former Rennes player Gaëtan Laborde, who slid the ball home to make it 3-1 by halftime.
Rennes coach Jorge Sampaoli responded with tactical adjustments during the break, bringing on Amine Gouiri to revitalize his attack. His efforts bore fruit shortly after the restart, when Truffert managed to tap the ball home after Bułka failed to cleanly parry Assignon’s powerful drive. The goal reignited hopes for Rennes, reducing the deficit to just one goal.
Despite Rennes pushing hard to equalize again, Nice’s defense held firm. They came close to solidifying their lead through Guessand yet faltered when he was brought down after receiving another great pass from Ndombele. Mandanda was called upon to make several key saves, including one from Hicham Boudaoui’s fierce shot, keeping Rennes within touching distance.
Rennes’ struggle continued when they faced additional pressure from Nice late on, but the match took another turn when Pablo Rosario was sent off for catching Kalimuendo with his foot. This moment of recklessness gave the visitors some hope, but they were unable to capitalize with any significant chances.
Nice's victory left them unbeaten at home this season—5 wins and 3 draws so far—as they prepare for their next clash with Stade de Reims. Meanwhile, Rennes will look to regroup as they face off against Olympique de Marseille, searching for pivotal points to increase their standing.
Flashscore named Tanguy Ndombele as the Man of the Match, reflecting his significant impact on the flow of the game.
Off the pitch, Ligue 1’s reputation was also under scrutiny. Roberto De Zerbi, the coach of Marseille, recently commented on the league's perception abroad. He noted, “I think Ligue 1 is a stronger league than people think abroad. It is probably badly sold by those in charge.” He highlighted the misconception of Ligue 1 being seen as inferior to other European leagues and expressed concern over the lack of visibility for clubs like Marseille outside France.
De Zerbi, who has guided Marseille to second place this season, explained, “There are really good players and coaches, full stadiums and great supporters.” He critiqued how Ligue 1 does not receive the same promotional efforts as the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, or the Bundesliga, which hampers its growth on the continental stage.
His remarks come at a time when Ligue 1 clubs are striving to prove their worth, pushing back against the stigma of being seen as lesser within Europe's competitive football hierarchy. The combination of talented players moving to top-tier clubs abroad and the passionate fan bases could shift perspectives if the league is properly marketed, De Zerbi added.
With the result solidifying Nice's solid position and other coaches advocating for the league, the future of Ligue 1 might hold potential for greater recognition and success.