Stade Rennais - Montpellier : The History

The opponent

Montpellier Hérault Sport Club started in 1919, under the previous name of Stade Olympique Montpelliérain (SOM). In 1974, the emblematic “Loulou” Nicollin became president of the club which was playing in division d’honneur. From then, the club of the Herault region became professional again (since 1969) in 1978 – before accessing to the first division after a great 1980-1981 season. At the end of the 80’, a title of French champion of second division had been added to the club’s Honours list (in 1987).

After that, Montpellier won the 1990 Coupe de France by beating 2-1 the Matra Racing (after extra-time) in the finale. Four years later, the MHSC lost the Coupe de France finale against Auxerre, the team from Burgundy winning by a 3-0 score. In 1992, the MHSC won the League Cup in the old version competition – which would not give you a pass for the European competitions.

On the European scene, MHSC managed to reach the quater-finals of the Cup of the cup winners in 1991, losing against the future winner Manchester United (1-1 and 0-2). Famous French and European players have played for Montpellier. Daniel Xuereb, Laurent Blanc, Jacek Ziober, Stéphane Paille, Xavier Gravelaine, Carlos Valderrama, Eric Cantona have been part of the club’s glorious past.

After five seasons in second division, Montpellier accessed to the League 1 again after a fantastic 2008/2009 season. The Herault club earned his pass to the first divion after finishing second of the League 2 Championship, just behind Lens. Last year for their return in League 1, Montpellier shined all along the season to finally finish at the fifth place on the championship’s final table, qualifying for the Europa League preliminary round. The emblematic Montpellier President, Loulou Nicollin, was delighted.

Previous matches

In Ligue 1, 12 matches have been played at stade de la route de Lorient between these two teams, and the general balance is leaning towards Rennes. The “Red and Blacks” won seven times and lost three times against Montpellier.

During the 2003/2004 season. Laszlo Bölöni players won easily with a 4-0 score. During this match Alexander Frei scored twice, Lamine Diatta and Jimmy Briand scored the other ones; Rennes’ young striker scoring his first goal in first division.

Last year and for the return of MHSC in Ligue 1, Frédéric Antonetti’s players won again with a 3-0 score. The match’s scorers were Sylvain Marveaux, Moussa Sow and Asamoah Gyan.

- 2009/2010 Season : Douchez - Fanni, Mangane, Hansson (cap.), Bocanegra - M’Vila, Leroy (Cheyrou, 55’), Lemoine - Sow (Bangoura, 66’), Gyan, Marveaux (Danzé, 87’).

Summary of Stade Rennais - Montpellier in Ligue 1: 12 matches, 7 wins for Rennes, 2 draws, 3 wins for Montpellier. 24 goals for Rennes Rennes, 13 for Montpellier.

Last Rennes’ scorer (in Ligue 1) : Asamoah Gyan (24th October 2009, 94’)

Stade Rennais – Montpellier last ten games

- 2009/10 (Ligue 1) : Win for Rennes 3-0 (Marveaux, Sow et Gyan)
- 2003/04 (Ligue 1) : Win for Rennes 4-0 (Frei 2, Diatta, Briand)
- 2002/03 (Ligue 1) : Win for Rennes 3-1 (Monterrubio 2, Piquionne / Diatta c.s.c)
- 2001/02 (Ligue 1) : Win for Rennes 2-0 (Le Roux 2)
- 1999/00 (Division 1) : Win for Montpellier 3-1 (Nonda / Maoulida, Rui Pataca, Silvestre)
- 1998/99 (Division 1) : Win for Rennes 3-2 (Nonda, Bardon, Goussé / Thimothée, Delaye)
- 1997/98 (Division 1) : Win for Rennes 2-0 (Goussé, Grégoire)
- 1996/97 (Division 1) : Win for Rennes 2-0 (Guivarc’h, Huard)
- 1995/96 (Division 1) : Draw 1-1 (Wiltord / Lefèvre)
- 1994/95 (Division 1) : Draw 2-2 (Lambert, Grassi / Rizzetto, Alicarte)

Sources :
- Archives Stade Rennais Online

Source photos :
- forum footnostalgie