On the again of their nail-biting qualification for the Europa League quarter-finals – the place they’ll face SL Benfica – Olympique de Marseille had been on the hunt for a fourth consecutive Ligue 1 win. Les Phocéens look reborn underneath the steering of veteran coach Jean-Louis Gasset and this away sport at Rennes’ Roazhon Park had all of the attributes of a litmus check.
With former Rennes and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy watching from the stands, it proved to be as Les Rouge et Noir dominated the early exchanges. Pau Lopez was alert to thwart a robust left-footed effort from Ludovic Blas. Minutes later, Rennes minimize via their opponents’ protection with ease for Martin Terrier to lash a low shot previous Lopez – his fiftieth purpose for Stade Rennais. Marseille retorted with the on-fire Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang squeezing a primary publish shot for Steve Mandanda to parry away.
The guests struggled to interrupt a near-flawless protection with notably Warmed Omari and Adrien Truffert placing in advantageous performances, stopping Ismaïla Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye making a big influence on the proceedings. As for Rennes, there was a robust case to be made about this being their greatest first half in ages towards a prime Ligue 1 aspect.
The second half was far more end-to-end stuff with Les Phocéens nonetheless probing for a gap and Rennes having fun with much less of the ball and additional away from Lopez’s purpose. Aubameyang’s free-kick discovered the publish earlier than substitute Faris Moumbagna made a large number of the rebound.
Marseille then conceded a penalty with Bamo Méïté making contact with the impeccable Truffert in his field. Benjamin Bourigeaud stepped up and made no mistake from the spot. Gasset’s profitable Ligue 1 streak on the helm of Marseille was put to a halt earlier than the worldwide break. Rennes’ win additionally had implications on the prime with now each golf equipment locked in with 39 factors every simply exterior the European spots.
Rennes gamers scores
Steve Mandanda, 6
Guéla Doué, 6
Warmed Omari, 7
A coming-of-age efficiency for the 24-year-old youth product, dealing expertly with the specter of Aubameyang and displaying his composure and ease at enjoying from the again.
Christopher Wooh, 6
Adrien Truffert, 7
A superb efficiency from the France worldwide. He was faultless in coping with Sarr and offered a dependable outlet down the left flank. Considered one of his rampant runs ended with the penalty buried by Bourigeaud.
Ludovic Blas, 6
Benjamin Bourigeaud, 7
Baptiste Santamaria, 6
Amine Gouiri, 6
Martin Terrier, 7
He solely wanted one goal-scoring alternative to seek out the again of the online, like wonderful strikers do. His well-taken low effort previous Lopez after an excellent run within the field marked his sixth purpose in his final eight Ligue 1 begins.
Arnaud Kalimuendo, 4
Marseille gamers scores
Pau Lopez, 6
Jonathan Clauss, 4
Chancel Mbemba, 4
Bamo Méïté, 3
Within the surprising absence of Leonardo Balerdi, the Ivorian centre-back was thrown within the combine and his efficiency received’t change Gasset’s pecking order on the again. He conceded the penalty that put Rennes out of sight.
Quentin Merlin, 5
Geoffrey Kondogbia, 4
Pape Gueye, 4
Amine Harit, 4
Ismaïla Sarr, 4
Iliman Ndiaye, 4
In his favored playmaker position behind Aubameyang and Sarr, the previous Sheffield United participant was a tough man to seek out and created little hazard for Mandanda. Changed after the hour mark by Faris Moumbagna.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 5
The previous Arsenal and Chelsea striker minimize a lonely determine on the Roazhon Park. With Marseille’s attacking fashion closely reliant on him, the Gabonese put in a tireless shift, but it surely was to not be for him at the moment. His defensive output was first rate.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
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