Rennes had the opportunity to return to two points of the 4th, Monaco, in case of victory at the Allianz Riviera. Instead, Bruno Genesio's men, who failed to score first during their time of domination, left the Côte d'Azur disappointed.

It will now be difficult for them to hope to play next season in the Europa League (reserved for the 4th of the Championship), or even the Conference Europa League, which will inherit the 5th of L1.

After five consecutive matches without winning at home (three draws, two losses), Nice, 51 points, climbs back to 8th place, but too far from Europe.

The Aiglons will nevertheless be satisfied to have finally returned to victory at home, a first since February 10 against Ajaccio (3-0).

Applied, the Nice did not go to the boarding against a team of Rennes fast. And the strategy put in place by Didier Digard paid off, because the Bretons did not create great danger at the beginning of the match. Jérémy Doku hit Kasper Schmeichel (16th), Amine Gouiri saw his attempt deflected into the corner (30th), and Lovro Majer, his header taken out by the Nice goalkeeper (41st).

Laborde-Moffi, winning duo

As the few Nice counters were badly negotiated (missed pass from Gaëtan Laborde, 33rd, and Terem Moffi, 39th), Nice returned to the break without having framed a strike. Everything settled down in the second half.

For his 500th match in L1, Steve Mandanda had a quiet first period. He lost on the first Nice opportunity of the second half.

Terem Moffi from Nice in Nice on May 6, 2023 © Valery HACHE / AFP

On a center of Badredine Bouanani, 18 years old and full of technical mastery, Laborde threw himself to score his 12th goal in L1, without really celebrating because two of them were registered at the beginning of the season under the colors of Rennes (1-0, 50th).

Nice were then able to let their opponent come more and strike on the counter-attack. On a Rennes corner taken off the head by Jordan Lotomba, Bouanani launched Moffi who took advantage of Arthur Theate's poor back pass for Mandanda. The ex-Loriantais grilled everyone and scored his 17th goal of the season, the 5th with Nice (2-0, 72nd).

Despite this blow, Benjamin Bourigeaud has picked up his own. He took action with a sublime strike from the right of the entrance of the surface in full skylight (2-1, 78th). But it was too late...

© 2023 AFP