OGC Nice - Stade Rennais : The History

The Opposition

The OGC Nice (Olympique Gymnaste Club) was founded in 1904, but the football section only was only created in 1908. When the first French professional championship was created in 1932, Nice –as the Stade Rennais - were involved. A historic place of French football, the OGCN knew its most glorious moments in the fifties (between 1951 and 59), winning four French champion titles and Two Coupe de France (including the double in 1952).

This gave the Mediterranean team the chance to take part in the first editions of the European Cup of Champions, managing two quarter-finals in the process (1957 and 1960), but losing against the Real Madrid of Di Stéfano, Kopa and Puskas, despite giving them a run for their money. The seventies saw Nice cement their place in the 1st division, finishing twice second in the League (1973 behind the FC Nantes, 1976 behind the AS Saint-Étienne).

The club was relegated in second division in 1982 however, after finishing the League in 19th position. The OGC nice remained at the second level of French football for three seasons, before coming back to the first division.

Despite chaotic performances and regular promotions and relegations between the first two divisions, the Cote d’Azur club managed to win a third Coupe de France in 1997 against Guingamp (On penalty shootouts) . At the end of that season however, Nice returned to the second division and remained there for 5 years (1998 to 2002). Since 2003, Nice has remained in Ligue 1, despite a few frights like in 2007 (16th).

A few big names in French and Euopean football have been playing for Nice over the years. Georges Lamia, Roger Jouve, Dominique Baratelli, Jean-Marc Guillou, Nenad Bjekovic, Daniel Bravo (picture, trained at the club), Carlos Curbelo, Robby Langers or José Cobos have written some of the finest pages in the club’s history.

Previous meetings

For years, Stade Rennes were unable to bring any victory back from the Stade du Ray. 38 years of misfortunes in Division 1 or 2.

A terrible streak finally interrupted in February 2009 with a short victory (1-0) against a team then managed by Frédéric Antonetti. A success earned thanks to a goal by Olivier Thomert, to cap a remarkable counter-attack led by Cheyrou and Briand.

Between draws and this victory, it’s been 4 games now, that the Breton “Rouge et Noir” haven’t lost in the den of their Mediterranean counterparts.

-  2009/2010 Season : Douchez - Fanni, Mangane, Hansson (cap), Bocanegra - Lemoine, Leroy, Inamoto - Bangoura (M’Vila, 80’), Gyan (Danzé, 78’), Sow (Kembo Ekoko, 69’).

Summary of Nice - Stade Rennais in Ligue 1 : 37 games, 22 Nice victories, 9 draws and 6 Rennes victories. 75 goals to Nice, 38 to Rennes.
Last Rennes goal scorer : Asamoah Gyan (August 16th, 2009)

Last ten Nice - Stade Rennais

- 2009/10 (L1) : Draw 1-1 (Ben Saada / Gyan (pen.) )
- 2008/09 (L1) : Rennes win 1-0 (Thomert)
- 2007/08 (L1) : Draw 1-1 (Koné / Briand)
- 2006/07 (L1) : Draw 1-1 (Vahirua / Briand)
- 2005/06 (L1) : Nice win 2-1 (Bellion & Abardonado / Utaka)
- 2004/05 (L1) : Nice win 2-0 (Roudet & Vahirua (pen.) )
- 2003/04 (L1) : Nice win 3-1 (Meslin, Laslandes & Everson / Piquionne)
- 2002/03 (L1) : Draw 0-0
- 1996/97 (D1) : Nice win 3-1 (Chaouch, Debbah & Nègre / Guivarc’h)
- 1994/95 (D1) : Nice win 1-0 (Tatarian)

Sources :
- Stade Rennais Online Archives
- OGC Nice official website

Pictures :
- OGC Nice official website