Dominated during proceedings, OGC Nice eventually cracked in the dying moments of the match at Rennes (2-1) on Monday 2 January and Matchday 17 of Ligue 1. Barkley scored his first goal for Le Gym.

At Roazhon Park, OGC Nice came up against a good footballing side, who took hold of the ball for a large part of the match, but who were often denied by a solid defensive performance inspired by a committed Todibo. Having hung on throughout the second half, Nice were finally beaten in the 89th minute, after a smart team move was converted by the left boot of Bourigeaud (2-1).

In front of their home crowd, Rennes dominated the second half of the match, without creating any real danger for Schmeichel's goal. The Danish international was barely troubled after the break, because there was always a leg, a foot or a head to protect his goal. That was until the 89th minute…

DESPITE A STRIKE OF GENIUS FROM BARKLEY  

The first half of the match was more pleasant and balanced. That was despite the cruel start that the men from the Côte d'Azur suffered, when they were caught out in the 6th minute when a clinical Terrier took full advantage after a scramble within the box (1-0, 6’). A gem of an effort from Barkley's left foot called Mandanda into action as the French stopper turned the ball onto his bar (10’). Terrier thought he had scored a brace, but Gouiri – who had inadvertently deflected the ball into his path - was in an offside position (18’). In the minutes that followed, Barkley equalised in incredible style. Found by Lotomba 25 metres out, the Englishman got his Ligue 1 tally underway with something that nobody expected: a powerful strike that beat Mandanda at his near post, striking the ball from a seemingly impossible angle (1-1, 21’). 

Tactically, Lucien Favre started with the same 11 that faced Lens, in a 3-4-3, with Lemina in the heart of midfield to replace Boudaoui, who was ill and remained in Nice. On the hour mark, the coach made two changes: Diop for Barkley and Brahimi for Lemina, and moved into a 4-4-2 with Pepe and Laborde up-front. 

It's also worth noting that Martin Terrier was forced off the field on a stretcher in the first half, and Le Gym send him best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Les Aiglons will get their Coupe de France campaign started on Saturday at Le Puy.