PLAYER RATINGS | Rennes 2 – 2 Lille: Les Dogues let two-goal lead slip
Two of the best free-flowing but most inconsistent Ligue 1 sides faced off this Saturday afternoon with Stade Rennais hosting Lille OSC. Rennes started on the front foot, displaying sequences of intricate passing in the visitors’ half of the pitch. Still, Bruno Genesio’s side were unable to find cracks in Lille’s exciting double defending act composed of hugely promising youth product Lenny Yoro and seasoned France international Samuel Umtiti.
On the other hand, Les Dogues looked much more organized when going forward. Paulo Fonseca’s side kept hold of the ball for long sequences of play, which highly frustrated Rennes midfielder Nemanja Matic. The former Chelsea and Manchester United man conceded an avoidable free-kick near his penalty box. Rémy Cabella chipped a clever ball for Yoro to emphatically volley it in Steve Mandanda’s top right corner after the half-hour mark. Rennes and Lille left the pitch for half-time to the booing of the home fans.
Les Rouge et Noir’s attacking threat was completely nullified by Lille, and again, Les Dogues bit back through a set piece. Cabella’s free-kick again fed Yoro whose shot was parried by Mandanda only for Bafodé Diakité to slam home from close range. At 2-0 down, Genesio rang the chances with Ludovic Blas and new recruits Fabian Rieder and Bertrug Yildirim entering the fray. Unexpectedly, Lille were guilty of complacency. Lucas Chevalier failed his clearance with the ball falling to Lorenz Assignon. The right-back sent Umtiti for a hot dog before emphatically beating Chevalier from a tight angle, breathing new life into the Roazhon Park.
Rennes went all in to salvage a consolation point with Lille showing clear signs of frailness. Ibrahim Salah rocked the ground in finding the back
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