Nice started the new Ligue 1 season with a 1-0 victory over Rennes Sunday as emotional tributes were paid to the 85 people killed in last month's terror attack. Teenage debutant Malang Sarr's second-half header ensured a winning start for new coach Lucien Favre, but the atmosphere was somber at the Allianz Riviera just a month after the southern French city was rocked by the July 14th attack. Both teams wore a commemorative kit with the names of the victims printed on the front in the shape of a heart, while 85 balloons were released in the center circle before a minute's silence was observed prior to kick-off. The kits worn by the players were set to be auctioned off after the match with the proceeds going to the victims' families. Earlier, Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette scored a hat trick as last year's runners-up won 3-0 away to promoted Nancy. On Saturday, New Bordeaux coach Jocelyn Gourvennec saw his side hold off a late Saint-Etienne fightback to win a thrilling encounter 3-2 on the opening weekend of the French Ligue 1 season. Gaetan Laborde, Uruguayan international Diego Rolan and Brazilian youngster Malcom all netted for the host at the Matmut Atlantique but they were made to sweat as Romain Hamouma and Alexander Soderlund both scored late goals for the visitors. Saturday's game was the competitive bow for Gourvennec, appointed as Bordeaux's new coach to end a successful six-year stint in charge of unfashionable Brittany side Guingamp. There was no place for either of his marquee summer signings in the starting lineup, with former Monaco midfielder Jeremy Toulalan suspended and forward Jeremy Menez only on the bench. However, young forward Laborde, who has spent most of the last two seasons on loan in the second tier, opened the scoring 13 minutes in when he got in front of Loic Perrin to head in a free-kick. Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier kept the visitors in the game with a fine save from Malcom before Nicolas Pallois had a header cleared off the line as it remained 1-0 at the interval. However, Laborde set up Rolan to make it 2-0 early in the second period and Malcom, the 19-year-old signed in January from Corinthians, curled in a free-kick for the third goal. Saint-Etienne rallied, though, and Hamouma headed in nine minutes from time before Norwegian striker Soderlund, who had come off the bench, got to a corner in front of goalkeeper Jerome Prior to make it 3-2. Bordeaux, who saw Menez come off the bench to make his debut wearing a headguard to protect the ear he had partially ripped off in a gruesome pre-season friendly incident, held on as Vincent Pajot grazed the post with a shot in stoppage time. There were plenty of goals elsewhere, with promoted Metz coming from behind twice to beat Lille 3-2. Caen came from two goals behind to beat 10-man Lorient 3-2 as Croatian summer signing Ivan Santini marked his debut with a brace. Nantes won 1-0 at Dijon with a Nicolaj Thomsen goal and a Ryad Boudebouz goal was enough for Montpellier to beat Angers.
