Nice-Rennes preview: Francesco Farioli looking to extend unbeaten run | OneFootball

OGC Nice are the only side still unbeaten in Ligue 1 Uber Eats this season. Francesco Farioli will be looking to ensure that that remains the case when Stade Rennais visit the Allianz Riviera on Sunday.

Kick-off: Sunday, 20:45

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Farioli has yet to taste defeat since arriving on the Côte d'Azur this summer. The Italian was somewhat of an unknown quantity but he has certainly made a name for himself in these opening rounds. Whilst PSG and Monaco are Nice's most high-profile scalps, their victory over Clermont Foot last weekend provided the most unmistakable sign that they are able to challenge for a place on the podium this season.

Nice have struggled less against the 'big' sides and more against sides that are content to sit in a low-block. Farioli's system replicates Roberto De Zerbian elements and its success, at least in part, is contingent on teams pressing. When teams opted not to do so, Les Aiglons looked ponderous in possession and lacked the ability to break teams down.

A match tailor-made for Moffi

The victory against Clermont Foot was arguably the first exception to that trend, to the chink in Nice's armour. "We once again created good opportunities," said Farioli, "For me, it was good that we showed patience to attack with order and discipline."

Nice have now shown that they are capable of winning matches in different ways, and Sunday's match against Rennes will certainly require a different approach once again. Bruno Génésio's side will, unlike Clermont, look to press higher and more crucially, deploy a higher back-line. That will be music to the ears of out-of-form forward Terem Moffi.

The Nigerian international hasn't scored in Ligue 1 Uber Eats since his spectacular and decisive brace against PSG in September. He has been restricted to a handful of muted displays since. By his own admission, he prefers playing against high lines. "When teams come to play, there is a lot of space in behind and I feast on this," said Moffi prior to last month's victory over Marseille.

Martin Terrier to make his first start?

Equally, Rennes have plenty of firepower of their own and Martin Terrier's return adds further to their impressive attacking arsenal. Terrier has been used sparingly since returning for Les Rennais; it is understandable given the severity of the ACL injury that he suffered against Nice, at the Allianz Riviera in January. He could make his first start for Rennes since that injury. Should he do so, it will understandably be a cathartic moment for the French forward.

Genesio will be eager for Terrier to hit the ground running. The former Lyon manager is desperate for a win. Les Rennais have only won twice all season (six draws, two losses) and for a club that has set itself the objective of securing a Champions League qualification, that isn't good enough. "This game is all too similar to the other ones. Overall, we are in control of the game, but there are too few shots on target and too little offensive efficiency, and when the opposing team attacks, they score with few opportunities," said Genesio after Rennes' latest draw against Strasbourg.

"It's seriously not good enough," added the former OL manager. Rennes must stop drawing matches and start winning them. However, given that only three teams have breached Nice's defence so far this season, taking three points away from the fortress that is the Allianz Riviera is a difficult challenge for any team, not least a Rennes side that are winless in their last 3 matches in the French top-flight.

Possible teams

Nice: Bulka, Bard, Dante, Todibo, Rosario; Thuram, Ndayishimiye, Sanson; Boga, Moffi, Laborde

Rennes: Mandanda, Truffert, Belocian, Omari, Assignon; Doué, Matic, Bourigeaud; Terrier, Kalimuendo, Blas

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