At Roazhon Park.
“Live up to your ambitions, qualify”. The tifo deployed in the stands by Roazhon Celtic Kop was clear. With nearly 50 million euros already spent on the transfer market, the highest amount in Ligue 1 behind the untouchable PSG, Stade Rennais had to win for its first play-off of the brand new League Europa Conference. He did it seriously, winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Nayef Aguerd and Serhou Guirassy in a warm atmosphere despite the empty seats in Roazhon Park. A meeting where the Bretons were not much endangered but which puts them in good conditions for the return match in a week in Trondheim. Always good to take three days from the reception of FC Nantes (Sunday at 5 p.m.).
Nayef “Air” Aguerd had wings
He had springs in his shoes. On Thursday night, Nayef Aguerd had already captured all of goalie Hansen’s clearances with a header when he catapulted a helmet under the bar of goalkeeper Rosenborg. Very concerned, the Moroccan defender flew over his defender to allow Rennes to open the scoring in the 15th minute. A deserved advantage as the Bretons marched on their opponents at this time of the meeting. Often dangerous on set pieces distilled by Benjamin Bourigeaud, Bruno Genesio’s men too often missed the target in the first period, slowly leaving the Norwegians to settle in the match. Faulty during the first day in Lens, the Moroccan defender delivered a full match defensively, his goalkeeper Alfred Gomis not having had much to do.
Live up to your ambitions… Qualify. The message of the @ RCK1991 is clear ! #srfc #srfcrbk pic.twitter.com/pxHdRzt8lp
– 20 Minutes Rennes (@ 20minutesrennes) August 19, 2021
Santamaria is already here!
Arrived in Brittany on Tuesday, Baptiste Santamara did not take long to blend into the Rennes collective. Established by Bruno Genesio, the former Angevin delivered a very solid match. Very suitable for recovery, the midfielder saved a ball from a heel on the first goal scored by Aguerd. Recruited for 14 million euros, the former Freiburg has shown a capacity of withdrawal that was lacking in Rennes since the departure of Steven Nzonzi. But he also pierced the Norwegian midfielder several times, delivering a few deep passes that deserved to be better exploited. We smell the right pick.
Guirassy, the strong head, Bourigeaud the anti-hero
We can’t not talk about him. Already leading scorer on Sunday in the derby against Brest (1-1), Serhou Guirassy repeated this Thursday evening on a love of the ball delivered by an excellent Benjamin Bourigeaud a few minutes from the end of regulation time. Left on the bench at kickoff, the former Amiens striker could quickly upset the hierarchy. If he missed his entry a little, the striker kindly reminded his coach that he was one of the strong men in the workforce. And always flawless even if he had several opportunities to finish better.
But what about the match of Benjamin Bourigeaud, acclaimed by the kop at the end of the match as he was the strong link of the team. From the top of his 27 years, the former Lensois appears as one of the tauliers of this very young team. Thursday evening, he feasted with his right foot, offering two caviars to Aguerd and Guirassy. Never in the show, the environment is very sharp at the start of the season. Young people can learn from him.