Senegal international striker Boulaye Dia scored from the penalty spot in Stade Rennais’ heavy defeat at Nice (5-2) on Friday 30 October, netting his third goal in as many games in all competitions.
Stade Rennais endured a difficult evening on the Allianz Riviera pitch on Friday 30 October, on matchday 9 of Ligue 1. Trailing 4-1, the Bretons eventually went down 5-2 to Nice, according to OneFootball and Stade Rennais Online. In the defeat, however, one man did find the net: Boulaye Dia, who scored from the penalty spot in the 58th minute.
The Senegal international striker is picking up where he left off. It is his third goal in a row, after his strikes in the Europa League against Juventus and then against Strasbourg, according to Lazionews.eu.
Five goals in ten appearances
With this penalty, Boulaye Dia takes his tally to 5 goals in 10 appearances in the Rennes shirt, in all competitions, reports OneFootball/Lazionews24. In Ligue 1 he has 4, level with Josh Maja, Louis Mafouta and Florian Thauvin, according to Ligue1.com.
Those figures show the consistency the Senegalese has rediscovered since arriving in Brittany last summer. He had left Lazio after three competitive games at the start of the season, according to OneFootball/Lazionews24; at Rennes, his transfer has allowed him to find continuity and great efficiency in front of goal, the same source stresses.
Yet the evening in Nice was no collective celebration. Rennes conceded five goals at the Allianz Riviera, and their striker’s penalty, scored when Nice led 4-1, only reduced the deficit, according to OneFootball and Stade Rennais Online.
Goals that are not enough
Boulaye Dia’s personal run contrasts with Stade Rennais’ results, as they suffered a heavy defeat on the Côte d’Azur. His third goal in a row did not affect the outcome of the match, with the Bretons going down 5-2 on matchday 9 of Ligue 1.
In the Europa League against Juventus, then against Strasbourg, then at Nice, the striker scored every time, as Lazionews.eu notes.
A meeting with Sudan in sight
Rennes’ next Ligue 1 match will give Boulaye Dia the chance to extend his run. The international calendar could also come into the conversation: the striker could be called up by Senegal for the double header against Sudan on 12 and 16 November.
Nothing is official at this stage: it is a possibility, not an announcement. The date of Rennes’ next Ligue 1 match is not specified in the sources consulted.