Roazhon Park was the scene of a 100% Moroccan clash this weekend, during the 9th round of Ligue 1. Sofiane Diop’s OGC Nice faced off against Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal’s Stade Rennais. It was a hard-fought match that ended in a victory for the Aiglons (1-2).
The Nice players quickly took the lead thanks to a goal from Sofiane Diop in the 38th minute, perfectly set up in the box before finishing with a precise shot. Just before halftime, Jonathan Clauss doubled the score (45+1), giving the visitors a comfortable advantage. In the second half, Rennes reduced the deficit in the 67th minute with a goal from Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, who scored his first goal in Ligue 1 just seven minutes after coming on.
Promising trajectories for the two Moroccan internationals
Undisputed starter at Nice, Sofiane Diop continues to show great consistency. With 5 goals and 1 assist in 9 matches, the attacking midfielder confirms his key role in Franck Haise’s setup and establishes himself as one of the most in-form players in the league.
At Rennes, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal is gradually returning to his best level after a groin injury. Having remained on the bench during the trip to Auxerre, the Moroccan defender made an immediate impact upon his return by scoring a goal full of opportunism against OGC Nice.
This duel between Diop and Aït Boudlal illustrates the positive momentum of Moroccan internationals in Ligue 1, as the national team, led by Hoalid Regragui, approaches its upcoming fixtures.
