In 1999, the Stade Rennais, qualified for the Intertoto Cup thanks to their fifth position in the league, host the Juventus Turin of Zidane, Del Piero & Inzaghi, coming out of a really disappointing season...
The Stade Rennais enters the competition in the 3rd Round
- August 24th, 1999, in Rennes (Stade de la Route de Lorient)
- Referee : Melo Pereira
- Stade Rennais FC 2 - 2 Juventus Turin
- Half-Time : 1-1
- Goals : Diouf (20’), Nonda (92’) for Rennes ; Conte (30’), Zambrotta (73’) for Turin
- Corners : 12 to Rennes, 6 to Turin
- Yellow Cards : Gregoire (dangerous foul play), Gava (protestation) pour Rennes ; Oliseh (dangerous foul play) pour Turin
- Spectators : 15 500 dont 11 427 payants
11.500 spectators only, for a game that could have gathered 50,000, had the Stade de la Route de Lorient not been in the middle of renovations. Zidane’s Juventus is a giant, but the Bretons are not intending to give up without a fight. In fact, they have all intention to push the Italians to the limit, knowing that despite the 2-0 defeat in Turin, they had real chances to beat the Turin defence.
Therefore, with Nonda, Diouf and Bardon on the forward line, Le Guen’s team is all out attacking. And despite a wonderful pass by Zidane, volleyed by Conte and magnificently saved by Malicki (12’), Rennes is dominating the early stages and giving the Italians a real run for their money, trying their chance with numerous long-range strikes (Gava 11’, Bardon 13’ & 15’, Nonda 16’)…
But the better chance comes to Bardon, who arrives alone in front of Van der Sar after a nice combination between Diouf and Nonda. Alas, the striker only manages to hit the post (18’), but the “Rouge et Noir” efforts will soon be rewarded. A minute later, Bardon is served by Le Roux and makes up for his previous miss by offering an easy goal to Diouf. Rennes is celebrating (19’), and gets close to mass hysteria when Nonda’s header meets Bigne’s cross in front of the goal, but a miraculous parade by Van der Sar denies the Burundese’s effort to goal (24’).
The chance has gone for Rennes, when Ancelotti’s struggling men equalise on their second chance: A cross by Del Piero is beautifully headed in by Conte (29’). 1-1, the dreaded scenario as Rennes chances to qualify are now subject to another three goals.
Soon, the game’s intensity is lowering, and Zidane seizes the chance to distillate a few magic long balls in his particular style. “Zizou” even has the chance to make matters worse on a corner-kick, but his header is saved on the line by a Rennes defender (33’). At half time, the Bretons’ task seems impossible, especially after Nonda failed to beat Van der Sar on a one-to-one (45’).
Grégoire and his men, however, keep on pushing for a prestigious victory, even in the absence of the qualification. Nonda, Gava on a free-kick and Diouf bring the danger forward, but, with Zidane on charge, the Juventus is in control. Fouls when needed, a few counter-attacks… The mark of experience…
Rennes is increasingly frustrated, and it goes on when Zambrotta profits of a superb work by Del Piero, to put Turin on the lead with the inside of his left foot (73’). Nonda’s goal in the injury time won’t make a difference. The “Old Lady” was too strong
A Rennes, la frustration est donc de mise et sera d’antant plus grande lorsque, suite à un superbe travail de Del Piero, Zambrotta, du plat du pied gauche, doublera la mise (73e). Le but de Nonda dans les arrêts de jeu ne changera rien. Hier, la “vieille dame” était trop grande.
Source : Le Télégramme
- 1-0 : Diouf’s Goal
- 1-1 : Conte’s equaliser
- 1-2 : Zambrotta’s Goal
- 2-2 : Nonda’s equaliser
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