Thanks to goals from Gaëtan Laborde and Terem Moffi, OGC Nice defeated Stade Rennais 2-1 in Saturday's Ligue 1 Matchday 34 encounter.

After getting back to winning ways against Troyes last week, Le Gym won again thanks in large part to a solid second-half performance during which both home goals were scored, and the midfield trio of Hicham Boudaoui, Aaron Ramsey and Khephren Thuram took control of the match. 

After struggling through the first half, Dante & Co. opened the scoring thanks to a smooth move. Set up on the right side of the front three in a 4-3-3 with just one change compared to last weekend's starting XI (Jean-Clair Todibo replacing Pablo Rosario in central defence), Badredine Bouanani produced a fabulous pass to the back post for Laborde to find the net (1-0, 50'). It was our #24's 15th league goal of the season, two of which came in the colours of the visitors of the day.

The opening goal provoked the hosts to push on. Under pressure from Moffi, Arthur Theate underhit a backpass for Steve Mandanda, and the Nigerian striker stole in to round the Rennes goalkeeper and score his eighth goal in 15 matches and his 20th of the season (2-0, 72').

The longer the game went on, the more space there was. Le Gym had the chance to give themselves margin for error, but Thuram - picked out by Laborde - saw his effort blocked (76'). Instead, Benjamin Bourigeaud made things nervy when he pulled one back from distance, beating Kasper Schmeichel with a ferocious strike (2-1, 78').

Both teams sought to score again in the closing 10 minutes. Rennes almost equalised but Jordan Lotomba thwarted Lovro Majer (88') before the Switzerland international saw a shot saved by Mandanda (90').

Rosario and Youcef Atal came on in the final quarter-hour to help the close out the game to leave Le Gym with real momentum ahead of next Saturday's game in Strasbourg (kick-off 5pm).