Nice piles pressure on Rennes in French league win

PARIS -- — Nice striker Gaëtan Laborde scored in a win against his former club on Saturday and cost Rennes precious points in the French league race for European football next season.

With four games left to play, the 2-1 loss left Rennes in sixth place, three points behind Lille which played Reims late. The fifth-placed side in Ligue 1 qualifies for the Conference League playoffs stage.

Laborde, who joined Nice last year from Rennes, broke the deadlock in the 50th minute. Terem Moffi then made the most of a mistake from Arthur Theate to double Nice's lead with under half an hour left.

Benjamin Bourigeaud’s goal in the 78th was not enough to prevent Rennes' 12th loss this season.

Second-placed Marseille was at Lens late Saturday, just one point above its northern rival in the fight for the second automatic Champions League spot.

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