Facing Stade de Reims this Saturday evening at the Auguste-Delaune, OGC Nice delivered a spectacular victory (2-4), marking their first away win since 2 November. Les Aiglons impressed in attack, securing their second consecutive win of 2025 and reclaiming 4th place in Ligue 1.

In the cold Reims evening, only a "red-hot" Gym could warm the hearts of their fans, whether present in the stadium or cheering from the most beautiful city in the world. For their first away match of the calendar year and the final game of the first half of the Ligue 1 2024-2025 season, Les Aiglons stayed true to themselves: tireless, forward-focused, spirited and armed with unshakable determination. Against a Stade de Reims team known for their physicality and intensity, Franck Haise’s side delivered a complete performance to secure the victory (2-4), following up on their 3-2 win over Rennes last week.

This spectacular success also proved to be a strategic one in the league table. Benefiting from the slip-ups of their European rivals and their own win, the Rouge et Noir finish the first half of the season in 4th place, just one point shy of the podium and Monaco.

Guessand seals Le Gym’s dominance

Bolstered by the return of Jonathan Clauss and Dante to the starting XI, Les Aiglons made an explosive start, testing a sharp Yehvann Diouf on two occasions. The Reims goalkeeper was alert to deny Sofiane Diop (8') and Tanguy Ndombele (10'). Determined to open the scoring, as they had against Rennes, Nice had to find a way past a Reims side that remained dangerous on the counter. Marcin Bułka also stood firm, blocking Teddy Teuma’s cross (19') and deflecting a powerful strike from Sergio Akieme (23').

Technically commanding, Dante and his teammates thought they had broken through when Melvin Bard’s lob came close, before Gaëtan Laborde’s header was cleared off the line by Akieme (24'). Ultimately, Evann Guessand stepped up to take advantage from a set piece. Jonathan Clauss delivered a pinpoint corner that met Guessand’s head, leaving Diouf with no chance (0-1, 28'). Scoring his 8th Ligue 1 goal of the season (plus one in the Europa League), Guessand once again stood out in Reims.

First brace of the season for Laborde

Energised by the opening goal, the Azuréens pressed forward to extend their lead. However, Diouf, in exceptional form, made another crucial save to deny Diop’s lobbed attempt (31'). This miss proved frustrating, as Junya Ito soon capitalised on a headed clearance by Dante to beat Bułka from close range (1-1, 34').

But the Niçois’ resolve remained unshaken, with Gaëtan Laborde embodying that determination. The experienced forward drew a foul from Cédric Kipré in the box after a sharp cross from Clauss. Taking the penalty himself, "Gaëtan the Conqueror" coolly pulled off a panenka for his fifth goal of the season (1-2, 44').

The match maintained its high tempo after the break. While Reims, buoyed by their fans, regained control of possession, the Rouge et Noir proved lethal on the counter. Guessand narrowly missed after Bard’s fine cross, but was impeded by Akieme (53'). Laborde, however, made no mistake, scoring his first brace of the season. Set up by a brilliant pass from Diop, Ligue 1’s second-highest scorer (83 goals) connected perfectly to beat Diouf (1-3, 64').

Le Gym remained calm

Despite Mamadou Diakhon reigniting Reims’ hopes with a thunderous strike that left Bułka with no chance (2-3, 71'), Le Gym remained composed. Franck Haise introduced Mohamed-Ali Cho, Tom Louchet and Ali Abdi, and his team didn’t live to regret Hicham Boudaoui’s missed opportunity (70'). Confident and commanding on the counter-attack, Nice sealed the win with a lightning-fast break finished by Abdi, who was brilliantly set up by Cho’s clever pass with the outside of his boot (2-4, 86'). Cho nearly added a goal himself, but his effort was ruled out for an offside by Youssoufa Moukoko moments earlier (90'+1).

Delivering another attacking showcase and rewarded for their positivity, the Niçois can enjoy a serene weekend, finishing the first half of their season in 4th place. Now just one point behind Monaco in 3rd, Le Gym has set the stage for an exciting second half of the campaign, starting with a Coupe de France Round of 32 match this Tuesday in Bastia.

Hugo Rondet