Rennes will have to work on their attack

Don’t trust the appearances. On paper, Rennes’ strike force is impressive, with Montaño, Gyan, Bangoura, Kembo-Ekoko or Brahimi. On the field against Saint-Etienne, the “Rouge et Noirs” did not confirm their excellent game in Nancy. With their draw, they remain up the standings (3rd) but it is clear that more work needs to be done.

Gyan and Montaño need to learn playing with each other

During one hour, Frédéric Antonetti’s men used Asamoah Gyan’s calls to generate danger. But the Ghanaian isn’t fit for a complete match yet. The good will is there, as several clear chances can show, including a beautiful shot at the 7th minute and three headers in front of the goal (33’, 54’ and 56’)

He will have to get used to play with his new teammates however, and especially Victor Hugo Montaño. With Gyan back in the squad, the Colombian, impressive last week, was pushed to the right of the pitch, not seeing much of the ball. The game was mainly played in midfield, for sure, and the Saint-Etienne players were lively and creative, but when Montaño came back to the centre instead of the Ghanaian, he soon took a bigger part in the game. At the end of a pass by Dalmat, at the 82nd, he kicked the ball just over Janot’s crossbar.

Antonetti: « We lacked patience »

But the last half hour, under total Rennes domination, leaves the observers wondering. “We lacked patience, we should play a more simple and precise game”, Frédéric Antonetti regretted after the game. The forwards and attacking midfielders only brought danger on free-kicks. “Marseille and Bordeaux became champions by winning games like this one on dead balls situations», adds the Corsican manager. The defence was rather solid, and the midfield, without Lemoine, did not lose control of the game but lacked the player’s ability to bring the ball forwards. “We were tired”, Frédéric Antonetti also notes.

Wing Play

The nearly inexistent activity on the wings was also striking. Only Romain Danzé, in the first half, tried to deliver balls from the by-line. Yacine Brahimi, a technical right-footer, doesn’t seem at ease in the (left) wing, just like Montaño, or even in some extent Kembo-Ekoko and Bangoura. Sylvain Marveaux’ absence might have had an impact. Saint-Etienne locked the centre of the field, and ended up having a rather comfortable evening. “They closed the game at the end, and we could not find a solution”, Yacine Brahimi regrets.

Enough to fire Frédéric Antonetti up, who entered a terrible anger at the 74th minute. Ismaël Bangoura, too slow to get ready, was at the receiving end, before the 4th referee became the target,

Luckily for Rennes, their lack of realism wasn’t converted in goals by Saint-Etienne. Marchal missed an open goal on a header (54’), and Bergessio was denied by a very reactive Douchez (86’)

No doubt, before they meet Arles-Avignon on Saturday, Rennes will still have loads of work at training.

Nicolas Auffray - Le Mensuel de Rennes

Picture : www.rennes.lemensuel.com

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- Complete Game Summary and Game Sheet : Rennes still looking for a home victory