PLAYER RATINGS | Rennes 3-1 Nantes: Hosts return to winning ways in tense Breton Derby
After drawing their last five Ligue 1 games, Rennes had the opportunity to breathe some life back into their season by hosting their bitter Breton rivals – a resurgent FC Nantes side that had just defeated Lorient with an extraordinary 5-3 scoreline.
Bruno Genesio’s team set themselves up ideally. Rennes right-back Lorenz Assignon was fouled in the penalty box by midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy and Ruddy Buquet pointed to the spot after only five minutes – Rennes captain Benjamin Bourigeaud made no mistake in wrongfooting returning goalkeeper Alban Lafont.
The hosts were by far the most enterprising side with Nantes showing little to no intention of loosening Rennes’ hold of the game. Pierre Aristouy’s tactical gamble to strengthen Les Canaris‘ midfield with the inclusion of Moutoussamy looked to have backfired. Rennes’ double midfield pivot of Bourigeaud and Nemanja Matic had a field day in the first half, grossly averaging one successful pass per minute. Les Rouge et Noir thought they had a second penalty when Buquet pointed to the spot after Lafont had collided with Bertug Yildirim in the box, but the Turkish international was eventually flagged offside.
But not for the first time this season, Rennes were the makers of their own misfortune. Just before half-time, when Nantes started knocking on the door, Steve Mandanda casually fed Warmed Omari and Florent Mollet smelt blood. The ball eventually fell to former Liverpool man Pedro Chirivella who went on to beat the experienced keeper with composure. Out of nowhere, Les Canaris found a way back into the game.
Nantes grew in confidence entering the second half and Rennes felt the frustration of another lead sleeping through their fingers. The game went full derby mode with
Read on getfootballnewsfrance.com
