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Ligue 1 McDonald’s, 03/01/25, Round 16
OGC Nice got off to a winning start in 2025 thanks to a deserved 3-2 win against Stade Rennais in a match that was halted and defined by goalkeeping errors.
Both sides were clinical in the first half. Chances were hard to come by, often the result of individual errors, but when they did come, they were taken with aplomb. Evann Guessand got the first Ligue 1 goal in 2025, turning Tanguy Ndombélé’s exquisite ball over the top, attacking Mikayil Faye and finishing past Steve Mandanda.
The lead was only 15 minutes. Once again, it was all about the assist with Ludovic Blas this time cutting in and feeding a pass into the path of Arnaud Kalimuendo, who beat Marcin Bulka at the near post. The Poland international should have done better with the effort but a few minutes later, Nice took the lead thanks to another mistake by the goalkeeper.
Mandanda played the ball straight to Sofiane Diop, who won the gft and finished past the former France international under pressure. Le Gym had a third before the break. Diop linked up well with Guessand with the latter galloping down the right, beating Faye and then finding Gaëtan Laborde at the back post to finish against his former club.
However, Rennes found a way back into the game early in the second half. Lorenz Assignon’s incisive shot was deflected into the path of striker Adrien Truffert, who simply finished from close range.
Despite the entry of Seko Fofana, on for his Rennes debut, Nice looked more likely to reach the goal. Guessand had a half chance but fell on the ball in a good position and Hicham Boudaoui grabbed the crossbar with a fierce effort that took a flick off Mandanda’s glove.
Substitute Pablo Rosario was sent off for a late tackle on Kalimuendo, however, Les Rennais failed to apply the pressure and Nice logically held on for the win and – temporarily – just three points. they are off the podium.
Despite another statistically impressive season, there is an impression that he is less impressive than he was last season, an impression confirmed by his performance here. He managed to disappear in the first Rennes and was entirely to blame for the second. However, he managed to make himself big to get a lucky touch on another goal effort by Blas, which made it 3-2 2.
Mohamed Abdelmonem – 5
Youssouf Ndayishimiye – 6
Antoine Mendy – 6
Sofiane Diop – 7
Hicham Boudaoui – 6
Tanguy Ndombélé – 8
Very influential in the first half, looking to put Nice on the front foot with balls over the top of the Rennes defence. One of them chose Guessand, as the Frenchman got a well-deserved assist. He has also become more important out of possession, covering space well and leading those around him.
Evann Guessand – 8
Gaëtan Laborde – 6
Badredine Bouanani – 4
Steve Mandanda – 3
Given the scrutiny he faces amid Rennes’ attempts to replace him, this was the type of performance he needed to avoid. He could have done better on the opener and was entirely to blame for Nice’s second – a careless, costly and matching approach. a moment.
Michael Faye – 3
Leo Ostigard – 5
Hans Hateboer – 5
Adrien Truffert – 5
Azor Matusiwa – 6
Jordan James – 4
Lorenz Assignon – 4
Albert Gronbaek – 5
Replaced by Amine Gouiri (4) at half-time.
Ludovic Blas – 7
He darted in and out of the game and his influence wasn’t felt all the time but when Rennes were dominant, he was at the heart of things and was rewarded with an assist.
Arnaud Kalimuendo – 6
FFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Nice
