The best attack in the French championship structured by coach Bruno Genesio and the best defense in L1, built by Nice's Christophe Galtier, thus leave back to back.

At the end of a duel at the top of good performance, without being of a very high level, where the Rennais showed greater collective mastery, and where the Nice people showed solidarity, the Bretons (53 points, +35 ), who won a precious point, are guaranteed to keep their place on the podium at the end of the day (2nd before the Marseille match on Sunday 3 p.m.), and leave their competitor from Nice two points behind in fourth place.

Nice, which is moving to Lens next weekend, remains within reach of its pursuer, Strasbourg, which receives Lens on Sunday (1 p.m.).

Even though Christophe Galtier fielded his attacking quartet Gouiri-Dolberg-Delort-Kluivert for the first time this season, the Aiglons struck on goal more often than their opponents through Amine Gouiri then Andy Delort (4th) and by Youcef Atal (20th)

The + Gym + was however dominated by the Rennais in the first period who, at the break, had twice as much possession (65%), and twice as many passes (330 to 170) than Nice, and a clear territorial domination.

Hamari Traoré's teammates were solid, sometimes even dangerous, without being effective in contact with a high-end opposing defense.

Like Flavien Tait's shot, deflected for a corner by Dante (24'), or Walter Benitez's parade in front of the Croatian Lovro Majer, signaled offside (35'), then the magnificent defensive tackle by Jean- Clair Todibo in front of Martin Terrier (35th).

Nice striker Andy Delort (g) has just opened the scoring against Rennes, April 2, 2022 in Nice CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU AFP

This gesture of the ex-Barcelonian after his gesture symbolized all the determination of the Aiglons to keep their clean sheet.

Rennes ends better

With such a state of mind, Nice could see it coming.

And hope for better times.

They arrived after the break.

It was necessary to wait more than half an hour in the first half to see the + Gym + frame a strike (Dolberg, 32nd).

It was enough four in the second half for Khephren Thuram to force the young Turkish goalkeeper, Dogan Alemdar, 19, to turn his head for a corner (49th).

Nice started to dominate, to put pressure.

Rennes defended and countered.

The two teams went blow for blow to the Nice goal.

First, Gaëtan Laborde took advantage of a countered raise from Atal and saw his attempt hit the right post of Benitez (52nd).

After a good response from Gouiri (59th), Delort opened the scoring (1-0, 67th).

The Algerian center-forward took advantage of a fine climb and then a sublime cross from outside his compatriot Atal to place a winning header.

Rennais Benjamin Bourigeaud (c) against Niçois Youcel Atal (g), April 2, 2022 in Nice CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU AFP

Nice then began to retreat, Rennes, to push again.

Following a series of set pieces, the Côte d'Azur rearguard broke down.

Benjamin Bourigeaud's free kick found Terrier's victorious header, more solid than Dante in the duel (1-1, 78th).

Better in the physical domain, the Bretons pushed at the end of the game to win the match.

Atal, at the foot of his post, cleared a framed recovery from Warmed Omari (86th).

And Benitez saved his family in front of Terrier (88th).

© 2022 AFP