PLAYER RATINGS | Rennes 1-2 Lorient: Steve Mandanda’s howler gifts vital Breton derby win for Les Merlus
Ligue 1 Uber Eats, Round 24, 03/03/24
Had Rennes not conceded a controversial last-minute equalizer from PSG centre-forward Gonçalo Ramos last Sunday, they would have chased an impressive eighth Ligue 1 win on the bounce against their Brittany neighbors today. As shown by their midweek qualification into the Coupe de France semi-finals and their gutsy 3-2 win against AC Milan, Les Rouge et Noir are in fine form and they were expected to carry on against a relegation-battling Lorient side.
The hosts turned on the pressure and saw most of the ball, but they created few chances. Meanwhile, Lorient were let down by individual mistakes preventing them from threatening Rennes captain Steve Mandanda. Every centre-forward on the pitch had a first half to forget. Benjamin Bourigeaud was too easily dispossessed by Tiémoué Bakayoko near the edge of the box, but the former Chelsea midfielder skied his attempt. Bourigeaud, who has enjoyed a purple patch lately, was kept at bay. The hosts could have been given a penalty with Julien Laporte handling Arnaud Kalimuendo’s cross, but the referee was unimpressed.
Rennes ended the first half with a flurry of chances, but Kalimuendo and the electric Désiré Doué both saw their tame attempt easily caught by Lorient goalie Yvon Mvogo. With proceedings restarting, Doué kept knocking at Lorient’s door, first with a curling effort that swirled off the post and then with a shot from a tight angle parried by Mvogo at his near post.
Against the run of play, Lorient stunned the hosts. A sleek attacking move saw Mohamed Bamba lose his 1v1 against Mandanda. On the rebound, Julien Ponceau curled an inviting effort for Mandanda but the former France international let go of the ball for Bamba to score from
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