PLAYER RATINGS | Rennes 2-0 Marseille: Martin Terrier scores 50th club goal to end Phocéens’ winning streak
On the back of their nail-biting qualification for the Europa League quarter-finals – where they will face SL Benfica – Olympique de Marseille were on the hunt for a fourth consecutive Ligue 1 win. Les Phocéens look reborn under the guidance of veteran coach Jean-Louis Gasset and this away game at Rennes’ Roazhon Park had all the attributes of a litmus test.
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 powerful left-footed effort from Ludovic Blas. Minutes later, Rennes cut through their opponents’ defense with ease for Martin Terrier to lash a low shot past Lopez – his 50th goal for Stade Rennais. Marseille retorted with the on-fire Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang squeezing a first post shot for Steve Mandanda to parry away.
The visitors struggled to break a near-flawless defense with notably Warmed Omari and Adrien Truffert putting in fine performances, preventing Ismaïla Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye making a significant impact on the proceedings. As for Rennes, there was a strong case to be made about this being their best first half in ages against a top Ligue 1 side.
The second half was way more end-to-end stuff with Les Phocéens still probing for an opening and Rennes enjoying less of the ball and further away from Lopez’s goal. Aubameyang’s free-kick found the post before substitute Faris Moumbagna made a mess of the rebound.
Marseille then conceded a penalty with Bamo Méïté making contact with the impeccable Truffert in his box. Benjamin Bourigeaud stepped up and made no mistake from the spot. Gasset’s winning Ligue 1 streak at the helm of Marseille was put to a halt before the international
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