Winner of Marseille this Sunday at Roazhon Park (2-0), Rennes is doing well in the race for Europe by catching up with the Phocaeans in the standings.
The good move is for Rennes. The duel between contenders for Europe logically turned to the advantage of Rennais (2-0), this Sunday, at Roazhon Park, during the 26th day of Ligue 1. During an intense meeting, the players of Julien Stéphan knew how to make the difference in key moments to stop Marseille’s series of three consecutive league successes, and stay in the race for Europe.
An open and rhythmic match
This duel between candidates for Europe did not take long to get carried away. The Rennais got off to a better start by forcing Pau Lopez to make a save in front of Guéla Doué and Ludovic Blas. Breton domination was finally rewarded after 20 minutes thanks to Martin Terrier’s opener, following a one-two with Amine Gouiri (1-0, 21st).
This goal had the merit of waking up the Marseillais, close to equalizing if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had not come up against Steve Mandanda. OM had several opportunities to get back on track before the break, but it was Rennes who were in a good position at the break.
End of series for OM
Undefeated when they opened the scoring (8 wins and 4 draws in 12 matches), the Bretons managed their lead after returning from the locker room, OM being quite clumsy in the last gesture. This ineffectiveness was symbolized by the incomprehensible miss from Faris Moumbagna, surprised to see Aubameyang’s free kick fall at his feet. The turning point of this meeting, since Benjamin Bourigeaud made the break on a penalty conceded by Meïte (2-0, 78th).
After three consecutive successes in Ligue 1, OM are once again marking time, three days after a tense evening at Villarreal, nevertheless crowned with qualification for the quarter-finals of the Europa League. On the other hand, Rennes does not miss the opportunity to come back to level with the Phocaeans in 7th place.