There was no winner between the Gym and Stade Rennais, who faced each other this Saturday in the opening match of the 30th match day of L1. In the midst of a hard-fought and enjoyable encounter, Martin Terrier's header (77') came in response to one from Andy Delort, who had opened the scoring (66').

NICE APPLY THE PRESSURE IN THE FIRST HALF

A bit of frustration, following the action that led to Rennes' equaliser: an oversight by Benitez, who pushed Todibo into making the mistake that led to Terrier's goal. But, also, the feeling of having faced a very good opponent and of having given them a good game. These are the feelings that could sum up this clash between Nice and Rennes. A clash in which Nice had the first two chances. Amine Gouiri was able to sneak into the left side of the box and curl a right-footed effort just wide of Alemdar's goal. A minute later, after winning a duel with Omari, Andy Delort shot with the outside of his foot but the ball went wide. During the first 20 minutes of the game, Christophe Galtier's players, who were well organised, left very little space to the Bretons. The game was getting into a good rhythm between the two teams. Youcef Atal struck a volley from Amine Gouiri's cross, but the Rennes keeper was not troubled, while Dante deflected Tait's shot for a corner moments later.

The first shot on target of the game was for Nice. Dante collected the ball and fed Andy Delort, but the striker did not put enough power into his shot, with Alemdar getting hold of the ball easily. Walter Benítez then made a fine save to keep out a shot from Majer, who was eventually flagged offside. Before half-time, Benjamin Bourigeaud's left-footed free-kick flew centimetres wide of Benitez's top corner. The Gym, having created the best chances and confirming their status as the best defence in the league, went into the interval with the game all square.

POWER OF 10 FOR DELORT

The second half began with great intensity from both sides. Thuram's lobbed header was cleared for a corner by Alemdar, Gouiri's right-footed volley from Kluivert's corner missed the target and Rennes hit the post with Gaëtan Laborde's right-footed shot. Positioned high up the pitch, the Gym increased the pressure on the Rennes goal. Jean-Clair Todibo, unmarked from Melvin Bard's cross, missed his header and Dante saw his shot blocked for a corner by the Rennes defence.

Nice's efforts were to be rewarded with a festival of skill from Youcef Atal. The Algerian international crossed beautifully from the right for Delort. The striker headed in his tenth goal for Nice (1-0, 66'). The hardest part was done. At least that's what we thought... But eleven minutes later, Rennes responded through their top scorer Martin Terrier. The Frenchman headed home Benjamin Bourigeaud's free-kick to bring the two teams level (1-1, 77'). Rennes pushed forward in the final minutes and forced Nice back into their own half. Atal saved the Gym by pushing away Omari's shot with his foot. Benítez pulled off a fine save to prevent a second goal for the Bretons by turning away a stinging shot from Terrier. Despite a lively end to the game, the score remained the same.

THE PROVISIONAL TABLE

THE NEXT MATCH

OGC Nice will travel to RC Lens on Sunday 10 April at the Stade Bollaert (5:05pm).