Ligue 1 McDonald's, 01-03-25, round 16
OGC Nice started the 2025 season on a winning note thanks to a deserved 3-2 victory over Stade Rennais in a match marked by goalkeeping errors.
Both teams were clinical in the first half. Opportunities were hard to come by, often the result of individual mistakes, but when presented they were taken with aplomb. Evann Guessand scored the first Ligue 1 goal of 2025, grabbing Tanguy Ndombélé's superb ball over the top, outpacing Mikayil Faye and finishing past Steve Mandanda.
The lead lasted only 15 minutes. Once again it was all about the assist, with Ludovic Blas this time cutting inside and dropping a pass into the path of Arnaud Kalimuendo, who beat Marcin Bulka at the near post. The Poland international should have done better, but a few minutes later Nice regained the lead thanks to another goalkeeping error.
Mandanda played the ball straight to Sofiane Diop, who accepted the gft and finished past the under-pressure former France international. Le Gym grabbed a third before half time. Diop linked up well with Guessand, with the latter then galloping down the right, beating Faye and then finding Gaëtan Laborde at the back post to finish against his old club.
However, Rennes got a route back into the match early in the second half. Lorenz Assignon's driven shot ended up straight into the path of the onrushing Adrien Truffert, who scored the simple finish from close range.
Despite the arrival of Seko Fofana, who made his Rennes debut, Nice seemed more likely to score the goal. Guessand had half a chance but fell to the ball in a good position and Hicham Boudaoui rattled the crossbar with a fierce effort, taking a tap off Mandanda's glove.
Substitute Pablo Rosario was sent off for a late stud-up tackle on Kalimuendo, but Les Rennais failed to apply the pressure and Nice logically held on for the win and are – for now – just three points off the podium.
Despite another statistically impressive season, the impression is that he is less imposing than last season, an impression borne out by his performances here. He managed to disappear on the first of Rennes and was completely at fault in the second. However, he did boast to get a chance goal on another goal attempt by Blas, which ended up at 3-2-2.
Mohammed Abdelmonem – 5
Youssouf Ndayishimiye – 6
Antoine Mendy – 6
Sofiane Diop – 7
Hicham Boudaoui – 6
Tanguy Ndombele – 8
Very influential in the first half, trying to put Nice in the fore with balls over the Rennes defense. One of them chose Guessand, as the Frenchman received a deserved assist. He has also become more important when in possession, covering space well and leading those around him.
Evann Guessand – 8
Gaëtan Laborde – 6
Badredine Bouanani – 4
Steve Mandanda – 3
Given the criticism he faces during Rennes' attempts to replace him, this is the type of performance he should avoid. He could have done better in the opener and was entirely at fault in Nice's second – a careless, costly and match-defining play. moment.
Mikayil Faye – 3
Leo Ostigard – 5
Hans Hateboer – 5
Adriaan Truffert – 5
Azor Matusiwa – 6
Jordan James – 4
Lorenz Assignon – 4
Albert Gronbaek – 5
Replaced at half-time by Amine Gouiri (4).
Ludovic Blas – 7
He flitted in and out of the game and his influence wasn't felt all game, but when Rennes dominated he took center stage and was rewarded with an assist.
Arnaud Kalimuendo – 6
GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Nice
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