An ugly win, but a win nonetheless

Ligue 1, Stade rennais 1 - 0 AS Monaco. At the end of a game that seemed long and dull, without creativity, Stade Rennes finally earned a success against Monaco through a penalty by Montaño. A success by the narrowest of margins, which provisionally sends Rennes back to the top of the standings.

If some games can sometimes be familiarly qualified as “stinkers”, this Rennes-Monaco vintage 2010-2011 fully deserved it. Against an awkward Monaco, the Rennais certainly didn’t show their most attractive face. This was particularly true during a very forgettable first forty-five minutes, in which Frédéric Antonetti’s men were not able to create a single chance. For Monaco, there wasn’t much more to be satisfied about, with only one real chance to note. Park could not convert his good chance, when he managed to turn towards the goal and blasted his shot wide, to the left of Douchez’ goal (32’).

Back with better intentions after the break, in the trail of Jirès Kembo, the Rennais were still struggling to bring any danger towards Ruffier’s goal. The game went on, despairingly dull, until a run by Kembo was to decide the outcome of the game. Hitting (involuntarily?) the ball crossed by the Rennes winger with his hand, young Monaco midfielder Mendy conceded a penalty, which Montaño converted empathically (64’). Suddenly relieved by this goal, Rennes was close to doubling their advantage only minutes later, when Leroy, after a good work by Montaño, received the ball in front of goal and was only just denied by Ruffier (80’). It didn’t matter, despite a late surge by Guy Lacombe’s men in the latest stages of the game – Douchez was forced to offer a great save on Gakpé’s vicious shot – Rennes had the result and kept the advantage until the final whistle.

An unconvincing winner, Stade Rennes earned their second consecutive home success however, and built on the good draw in Marseille. A result which sends them back to the top of the Ligue 1 standings, at least until tomorrow.

Match Facts

STADE RENNAIS FC 1 - 0 AS MONACO (half-time : 0-0)

Ligue 1, Game Week 16
Saturday, December 4th 2010, 19:00

Stade de la route de Lorient
Attendance : 20 829 spectators

Referee : Olivier Thual

Goal : Montaño (64’ pen.) for Rennes

Yellow Cards : Montaño (66’) and M’Vila (80’) for Rennes ; Adriano (40’), Hansson (63’) and Puygrenier (85’) for Monaco

- Stade rennais FC : Douchez - Fanni, Kana-Biyik, Mangane (cap), Souprayen - M’Vila, Dalmat (Leroy, 56’), Doumbia - Danzé, Montaño (Mandjeck, 90’+2), Kembo (Camara, 79’).

Manager : Frédéric Antonetti.

- AS Monaco : Ruffier (cap) - Adriano, Puygrenier, Hansson, Bonnart - N’Koulou, Haruna (Coutadeur, 73’), Mendy (Niculae, 67’) - Aubameyang (Gakpé, 79’), Park, Malonga.

Manager: Guy Lacombe