Ligue 1 – Rennes provisionally 4th after beating Montpellier in a spectacular match (2-4)

Rennes got scared, but Rennes finally manages to follow up and get closer to the podium. In a superb and lively meeting on the lawn of the Mosson, the Bretons, in front of the score then joined, finally overwhelmed Montpellier, thanks to Martin Terrier, Benjamin Bourigeaud, Gaëtan Laborde and Lovro Majer (2-4). This precious success against a competitor in European places allows the SRFC to temporarily take 4th place in Strasbourg and come back to 2 lengths from Nice.

Great game, twists and turns, three goals scored in 19 minutes… Who said Ligue 1 didn’t offer a show? Surely not those who attended the totally crazy first period between Montpellier and Rennes during this 26th day. However, the Rennais could have thought that they were going to live a quiet evening after a perfectly managed start to the match. Suffocating Pailladins overwhelmed in defense, the red and black showed off their collective mastery, to open the scoring thanks to a header from Terrier, perfectly served by Hamari Traoré (0-1, 8th).

Rennes thought they had done the hardest part, but Montpellier hung on

In the hard, the Montpellier saw the Rennes captain once again make the difference on the right side before giving the break point to Bourigeaud, who did not hesitate to transform it (0-2, 15th). In a boosted start to the match, the Héraultais however found the resources to come back, thanks, first, to a fine strike from Ambroise Oyongo on a serve from the inevitable Téji Savanier (1-2, 19th).

The southern stands have regained their voice, the pressure has changed sides, and after a few scares (22nd, 36th), Bruno Genesio saw his players being caught up on an achievement as beautiful as it was unusual from Elye Wahi. Wanted in the area, the young 19-year-old striker touched the ball with both feet on his return to deceive Alfred Gomis and capsize his supporters (2-2, 41st). But on a moment of hesitation, the efforts of pailladins were reduced to nothing by Terrier on returning from the locker room.

The former Lyonnais gleaned a penalty that Laborde converted against his former partners, to register, like his attacking partner, his 13th goal of the season in Ligue 1 (2-3, 52nd). In an equally lively second half, Omlin had to work hard to leave his team in the game (60th, 61st, 73rd), while Gomis, author of a decisive exit (66th), saw Meling push back on his line a strike from Mollet (68th).

Finally, it was the Bretons who bent the suspense on an achievement by Majer, after a school one-two with Bourigeaud (2-4, 84th). A major success for the Rennais, who have won two in a row in Ligue 1 for the first time since November, and put pressure on their opponents at the top of the table. No doubt, they will spend the weekend warm.