Harmless Marseillais suffocated in Rennes lose their 2nd place

The Marseillais fall from above. Very high even. Saturday evening, OM did not just sink at Stade Rennais (2-0). They also lost their 2nd place on which they had been sitting for months, doubled by a Monaco winner of Brest. Suffocated by the fury of Rennes, the players of Jorge Sampaoli never existed in this meeting. They certainly lost but they also left the only direct jump seat for the Champions League. Conversely, the Rennais went back to fourth just behind their evening opponents. The 38th and final day promises to be thrilling for both teams. OM will receive Strasbourg, in ambush in 5th place, when Rennes go to LOSC.

Roazhon Park was boiling hot. Three hours before the kick-off of this last match of the season in their lair, around 500 Rennes supporters had marched towards their stadium before drowning the players’ bus in smoke bombs. The sun was shining and the atmosphere was sweet for the poster of this 37th day between the fifth and the second in Ligue 1. Something was brewing. Defeated in Nantes on Wednesday after a missed match, the Rennais knew they could lose everything this Saturday if they were to lose against OM. So they did everything they had to suffocate the Marseillais who weren’t in the game.

Deprived of Dimitri Payet and Cédric Bakambu, Jorge Sampaoli had chosen to establish Amine Harit as a false number 9. A choice quickly punished by Benjamin Bourigeaud who deceived Steve Mandanda from the 11th minute on an impeccable service from Martin Terrier. For forty-five minutes, the Marseillais only existed on their right side or Under and Guendouzi hurt Truffert. But none of the crosses stretched by the former Gunner were cut. In this poster of the 37th day, it was Rennes who dominated, in particular the battle of the midfield. Attacking in number, the Bretons doubled the bet on a goal from close by Lovro Majer, perfectly served by Martin Terrier (again) on the same left flank. At half-time, OM had not seen the ball and suffered the collective game of Rennais forced to win.

The entry of Dieng brought the best

Without genius, the Olympians often relied on not always well-dosed crossbars to touch Under and Gerson on the flanks. In line? Almost nothing until the entry of Dieng and the first chills of the very noisy Marseille supporters throughout the meeting. Conversely, the Bretons offered the shimmering game that made their reputation this season. With a very good Flavien Tait, an omnipresent Baptiste Santamaria in the middle and a Martin Terrier transformed into a passer, the Rennais succeeded by quickly taking the lead with boundless energy. Bruno Genesio’s men were above all able to count on an iron defense like an imperial Nayef Aguerd.

We are waiting for this 38th day with so much impatience!


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