OGC Nice won away at Stade Rennais on Sunday on Matchday 9 of Ligue 1 (1-2). After a strong first half, Franck Haise's men fought hard defensively to hold on to the three points. Sofiane Diop and Jonathan Clauss scored for Le Gym.

It is sometimes through pain that the most satisfying successes are achieved. The victory secured by Les Aiglons in Rennes on Sunday is no exception. Keen to extend their unbeaten run in the league to four games, having not lost since their trip to Brest (Matchday 5, 4-1) on 20 September, and to bounce back after a frustrating European defeat at Celta Vigo (2-1), Melvin Bard and his teammates held their nerve in a physically demanding second half against a fresher Rennes side. They faced an uphill battle, with Mohamed-Ali Cho, who was meant to start, forced to withdraw due to an adductor injury during the warm-up, and Jonathan Clauss forced to come off at half-time due to knee pain. They also faced an opponent who threw everything they had into the battle during a desperate final few minutes.

DIOUF, OPPONG AND MENDY LEAD BY EXAMPLE

In the end, Le Gym held on. Yehvann Diouf had a brilliant game and was instrumental with one of the most spectacular saves of this Ligue 1 Matchday, flying across the goal to deny Jérémy Jacquet's header (75'). But his teammates in defence also deserve credit, starting with Kojo Peprah Oppong, who was alert in keeping a player of Breel Embolo's calibre quiet for most of the match. Quick to use his body to block Kader Meïté's shot in the box (83'), the new Ghanaian international shone in Brittany, as did Antoine Mendy, who was always battling.

But before the resistance, there was ruthlessness. Off to a good start in the game, the Rouge et Noir went into the changing rooms two goals ahead thanks to a tactically sound first half, with good ball movement and quick counter-attacks. The biggest chance of the early stages of the match fell to Jeremie Boga, who was played in perfectly by Sofiane Diop, but the Côte d'Azur forward was denied by Brice Samba, who quickly came off his line (22').

DIOP’S BEAUTY

Although Valentin Rongier's long-range shot, which Diouf struggled to catch, sent a shiver down the spines of Le Gym supporters, the last line of defence was quick to recover and prevent Esteban Lepaul from following up (28'). The breakthrough came just before half-time, courtesy of Nice's star player of recent weeks: Sofiane Diop. The number 10 proved decisive for the sixth time in the last four league games, finishing off Clauss's pass at the corner of the box just like Dario did (0-1, 38'). And what a goal it was! First time, Nice's top scorer unleashed a sumptuous strike that nestled in the top corner of Samba's goal, leaving him helpless.

A superb strike was quickly followed by a second, this time a more collective effort, as Clauss took centre stage to score with a fine right-footed effort in added time. Leading to the goal, Boga had cut inside from the left, played the ball to Kevin Carlos, and then inadvertently set up his right-back, who scored his first goal of the season (0-2, 45'+1).

TWO BIG MATCHES COMING UP IN LIGUE 1

Fatigue and numerous changes to the Breton attack had their effect on the game, and Franck Haise's men were less successful in getting into the opposition's half during the second period. The match took a turn after Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal got one back with a header from a Przemysław Frankowski free kick (1-2, 67'). What followed? Courage, saves from Diouf, rescues from Oppong, and even a touch of luck when Kader Meïté's goal, following a fine chest control and right-footed strike from the young Rennes striker, was correctly ruled out for offside (90+3').

Often unlucky since the start of the current season, Le Gym deserved this hard-fought victory and move up to eighth place in the table, three points behind the top four. This is good news at the start of a big week, which will see them host Lille (Wednesday 29 October, 7pm) and travel to the Parc des Princes (Saturday 1 November, 5pm).

Hugo Rondet