This Wednesday evening at the Stade de la Rabine, Vannes and Rennes settled for a goalless draw. But the result doesn’t matter. This first friendly game of the pre-season was above all an opportunity for Frédéric Antonetti to gauge his squad.
Rennes’ line-up in the first half : Costil - Foulquier, Théophile-Catherine, Boye, Kandji - Tettey, Dalmat, Lemoine - Camara, Montaño, Diarra.
In the first half, the Rennes manager set-up a mixed side, including some of last year’s starters and established first team players (Théophile-Catherine and Boye in defence, Tettey, Dalmat and Lemoine at midfield, Camara and Montaño in attack) as well as young players: Foulquier, Kandji and the new recruit Cheick Fantamady Diarra.
In the goals, Benoit Costil was spotless and brought a reassuring presence during the first half. He was tried in two occasions at the beginning of the game. After fifteen minutes, he deflected a shot by Ben Mohamed with his foot, following a dangerous back-pass in the penalty area (16’). Fifteen minutes, he blocked a long shot from Lovial without problem (34’)
The presence of the Rennes keeper was important, with a Rennes defence struggling to cater for all the Vannes attacks in the first half. The full-back were often overwhelmed, with the majority of Vannes attacking moves exploiting the flanks.
Upfront, the forwards showed rather inoffensive. An effort by Montaño after the first quarter was the only noticeable move. But the Colombian missed his control. Isolated at centre forward, he didn’t really weight in the game.
At midfield, Stéphane Dalmat was very present. Showing much activity in carrying the ball forwards, in relays with Lemoine, he showed more difficulties when it came to deliver the final pass.
Rennes’ line-up in the second half : Diallo - Jebbour, Mangane (cap.), Boyer, Danzé - M’Vila, Pajot, Doumbia - Féret, Boukari, Pitroipa
During the second half, Diallo took place in the Rennes goal. Very little to say about his performance, since he spent forty-five very quiet minutes. In defence, captain Kader Mangane and youngster Fabien Boyer partnered at centre-back with Jebbour and Danzé on the flanks.
From kick-off, new recruit Jonathan Pitroipa showed his ability. He created dangerous situations as soon as he touched the ball on the right flank. In five minutes, he had outflanked the Vannes defence in three occasions. With his impact and those of M’Vila and Pajot at midfield, Razak Boukari also showed much more present at centre forward than Montaño before him.
The presence of Doumbia gave an impression of solidity at midfield. Rennes were more consistent during the second half, and Antonetti’s players took possession of the ball.
Another recruit, Julien Féret imposed himself as a set-pieces taker. One hour in the game, he connected with Pajot on a good free-kick, but the latter could not direct the ball towards the goal (55’).
The former Nancy man was also inches away from scoring his first goal with Rennes following, once again, an excellent service by Pitroipa, but Le Rouzic denied him (70’).
Thirteen minutes later, he tried a lob after a hazardous outing by the Vannes keeper, without any luck (83’). Finally, Doumbia was unlucky a few minutes before the final whistle: the last Rennes attack of the game ended up with the ball bouncing off the crossbar (88’).
Disappointing in the first half, Rennes showed a much better figure in the second. It only lacked goals, to cap a good display.
Next Saturday, 17:30 in Carnac, Stade Rennais will play their second pre-season friendly, against Angers.
Complete post-game analysis follows tomorrow
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