Villarreal 1-0 Rennes: Bretons handed first defeat with Terrier missing penalty
UEFA Europa League, Matchday 2, 05/10/23
On the back of a comprehensive home win against Maccabi Haïfa, Rennes traveled to Villarreal’s La Ceramica to further cement their credentials to extend their Europa League journey onto the knockout stages. Given the 2022 Champions League semi-finalists lost their opening-day game against Panathinaikos, the La Liga side flew out of the traps, enjoying the most possession. Alexander Sørloth steered clear of the visitors’ defense to aim a shot deftly parried by Steve Mandanda.
Villarreal eventually broke the deadlock through the Sweden international, whose powerful left-footed effort found Mandanda’s net. The experienced goalkeeper could hardly have prevented it – the same can’t be said for Adrien Truffert and Arthur Theate. A deserved lead for the 2021 Europa League winners, given Rennes’ inability to disrupt a cunning and proactive Villarreal side.
Les Rouge et Noir returned to the pitch with renewed energy and better ambitions, forcing Villarreal to commit fouls and setting camp in the hosts’ half of the pitch. The momentum switched with Stade Rennais knocking on the door around Pepe Reina’s penalty box whilst Villarreal relied on counter-attacking. Rennes thought they had a penalty when Reina collided with Arnaud Kalimuendo in the box, but the referee overturned his decision after he realized on the monitor that the France U21 striker had skied his shot before.
For the final ten minutes, Bruno Genesio handed talismanic Rennes striker Martin Terrier a competitive return, nine months after a season-ending knee and meniscus injury. Following a lengthy VAR check, Rennes were handed the opportunity to restore parity in injury time. Terrier stepped up, but he shot it straight at Reina
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