With a 6-1 against pale Messins before the break, Rennes confirmed the great form of their attack, which has averaged 4 goals per game in its last five outings in L1, and a total of 63 achievements.

The joy of Rennes striker Martin Terrier, after scoring his second goal at home against Metz, during the 29th day of Ligue 1, March 20, 2022 at Roazhon Park Damien Meyer AFP / Archives

That's four goals more than PSG and already better than all of the Rouge et Noir's best totals over an entire season for several decades.

"There is individual and collective quality and talent in this team", praised Genesio after the victory against Metz.

"There is an extraordinary state of mind in this group (...) We feel a collective strength that I have rarely felt".

Rennes coach Bruno Genesio, during the match of the 26th day of Ligue 1 against Montpellier, February 25, 2022 at the Stade de La Mosson Pascal GUYOT AFP / Archives

"It's the best team right now," says Galtier.

"Everything has been well settled there for months. If we let it evolve and we fall into its trap, we could be in big trouble".

"An insolent success"

And the Nice coach sees the Genesio touch in it: “Rennes has an insolent success, but it forces it. It's a group that has been working well for more than a year with it. It's its touch. It's remarkable. His game reminds me of his work at OL, which had however been very criticized.

The two men have known and appreciated each other since their years in Lyon, which began under the leadership of Alain Perrin in 2007/2008, even if Galtier subsequently branched off to the rival from Saint-Etienne.

Both staff members at the time, they had put "barrels of oil" in the cogs so that the transplant would lead to a great season for OL, which had then achieved the first Cup/Championship double in its history. .

Again rivals, they are both aiming for a place on the podium, synonymous with the Champions League next year.

Rennes had taken the lead in the fall, but Nice got ahead of them, thanks in part to their 2-1 victory in December at Roazhon Park.

The joy of Algerian defender Youcef Atal (g), after scoring against Rennes, during the 18th day of Ligue 1, December 12, 2021 at Roazhon Park JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER AFP / Archives

That day, the Rennais had shown naivety in defense and a lack of success in attack, with a small goal for 42 crosses and 21 shots, including 8 on target.

A double cute sin that has regularly played tricks on them this season.

"Not dangerous enough"

And the Nice, carried by their captain Dante, who is having one of his best seasons despite his 38 years and his serious knee injury last season, are still as intractable in defense, with only 23 goals conceded this season.

Before their 2-1 defeat in Marseille, they had kept a clean sheet for five matches, including against PSG (1-0), having played an hour at ten in Montpellier (0-0) and finished at nine in Strasbourg (0-0).

The Brazilian defender of Nice Dante is ahead of the Argentinian midfielder of Paris Saint-Germain Angel Di Maria, during the 16th day of Ligue 1, on December 1, 2021 at the Parc des Princes Anne-Christine POUJOULAT AFP / Archives

Since then, Rennes has regained 3rd place, two lengths ahead.

To go back in front, Nice will have to score.

However, the Gym is stalling in this area, with only three goals in its last seven L1 matches.

Even Amine Gouiri (10 goals and 7 assists in L1) has been silent since January in the league.

Nice striker Amine Gouiri, struggling with Montpellier defenders Nicoals Cozza (c) and Arnaud Souquet, during the 28th day of Ligue 1, March 12, 2022 at the Stade de La Mosson Pascal GUYOT AFP / Archives

"You have to defend well, that's obvious, but you have to do more offensively," insists Galtier.

"We have few crosses, corners, set pieces, and we are not dangerous enough".

The return to form of Justin Kluivert after muscular problems, and the combined talents of Youssef Atal and Hicham Boudaoui, although stunned by the failure of Algeria in the play-off for the World Cup-2022, could help put a little madness in the Nice game, at the start of the final sprint.

© 2022 AFP