Rennes narrowly won against Nice at the end of the 17th day of Ligue 1 (2-1). Find the Tops and Flops of this meeting.
Tops
Bourigeaud guide et libère Rennes
The man of the match! Aligned in a role of right winger, Benjamin Bourigeaud was omnipresent in the Rennes game. Very influential, with one hundred balls touched. And decisive. At the origin of the opener, a long cross which surprised the Nice defense (6th), the 28-year-old player himself took charge of scoring the winning goal at the very end of the match, with a curled shot in full swing (89th). An efficiency that is worth gold for his team. During a second part of the season which promises to be breathless and busy, Rennes will undoubtedly need a Bourigeaud of this level to hope to aim high.
Traore’s activity
The right lane was clearly Stade Rennais’ strong point on Monday. A notch lower than Bourigeaud, Hamari Traoré also had a big game. Solid, the Breton captain held his lane well and did not hesitate to project himself to provide offensive solutions. Author of several centers that could have been better negotiated by its partners.
Barkley’s Jewel
A clearing in the Nice fog. Holder on the left wing of the Gym, Ross Barkley was discreet in the game, but he spoke about his quality on long shots. First by forcing Mandanda to make a sublime parade (13th). And especially by equalizing, with a missile that left the Rennes goalkeeper (21st) no chance. Author of his first goal in the Aiglons jersey, the former Chelsea player seems to be making progress after a very timid start.
Les Flops
But where were Laborde and Pépé?
Nice has once again displayed all its shortcomings in the offensive sector. Only dangerous on Barkley’s distant attempts, the Aiglons did not create the slightest collective action likely to surprise the Rennes defense. Individually, several players have missed out. Gaëtan Laborde, back on the lawn of his former club, did not show anything good up front. Like Nicolas Pépé, who had no influence in his right lane. Arriving on the Côte d’Azur this summer, the two players have been far from meeting expectations since the start of the season.
Read alsoLigue 1: “No shame” for Nice to lose against Rennes, assures Favre
Terrier’s wound
The image is chilling (35th). On the ground after a harmless duel with Lotomba, Martin Terrier screams in pain for endless seconds. Hands on the right knee. The Rennes striker, author of his ninth goal of the season at the start of the match (6th), was unable to get up and had to be evacuated on a stretcher, to a touching ovation from Roazhon Park. The exact nature of his injury is not yet known, but Bruno Genesio did not hide his pessimism at the microphone of Canal Plus. The Breton club could hardly imagine a worse blow.