Rennes sunk in the Doubs

Is Bonal cursed for Rennes? For the past three years, the “Red and Blacks” have had curious scenarios during their trips to the Doubs, between the incredible miss from Pagis (season 2008-2009) to the dubious refereeing of Didier Falcone last season. This time it was the 33’ corner kick which will fuel this coming week’s conversation. After viewing the video footage it is almost impossible to know whether the ball (kicked away by Perquis) crossed the goal line or not. The defender from Sochaux conceded on air Foot+, that the goal could have been allowed. This event was followed by a red card for Douchez which forced...Tettey to take the gloves, because Frédéric Antonetti had already used all his subs! Last but not least, Rennes ended the game with only 9 players after Mangane left his teammates because of a muscular injury.

Nonetheless, these incidents cannot hide the great performance from Sochaux. Shaken in every part of the game, Rennes fell again in their old ways of nervousness against their opponents. After just one minute of the game, Rennes’ defence was already in trouble. After a smart heel kick, Maïga sent Ideye behind Rennes’ defensive line. Coming back quickly, Mangane managed a “high level” sliding tackle to avoid his opponent to score the first goal. Getting tired by their opponents’ pressure and outran by Francis Gillot’s players, Rennes’ players conceded the first goal, only two minutes after Dalmat left with an injury. After a harmless throw in, Martin ran on the left side and crossed the ball for Maïga’s head which beat Douchez (1-0, 19’). The reaction of M’Vila’s teammates was not immediate. It came after a good half hour. A free-kick in the middle of the pitch from Leroy forced Cros to punch the ball (33’). Just after came the litigious incident. Behind on the scoreboard, Rennes pushed in the last minutes of the first half-time. Unfortunately, it is at this time that Sochaux scored the second goal by Martin. Excellent, the U23 French player find Douchez’ net with a left-foot curved shot (2-0, 43’).

A grotesque scenario

Not really inspired, Rennes’ defence sunk again after another attack from Sochaux. On the right side, Josse fund Ideye who needed two shots to give a bigger advantage to his team (3-0, 51’). A few minutes later Boukari scored his first goal for Rennes (3-1, 54’). This reaction was just a smokescreen because what followed was a debacle for the visitors. After stopping another opportunity, Douchez gave a penalty to Sochaux by tackling illegally Maiga in the box, and he was logically sent off. The issue was that Frédéric Antonetti had already used all his subs and could not substitute his keeper. It is finally Tettey, in the spotlight these last weeks, who took position in Rennes’ goal. Smiling at the time he took the gloves, he quickly stopped after conceding two goals (Boudebouz, 73’ and Maïga 84’). Before, Mangane had left his partners because of a muscular injury. Not really good news for Rennes’ trainer before two important matches at home next week (Reims on Tuesday and Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday), which will determine Rennes’ future this season. Hopefully this incident will have no further consequences.

Match report

FC SOCHAUX 5 - 1 STADE RENNAIS FC (Half-time : 2-0)

Ligue 1, 21th round
Saturday 29th January 2011 at 7pm

Stade Bonal
Attendance : 11 883

Referee : Alexandre Castro

Goals : Maïga (19’ and 84’), Martin (44’), Ideye (51’) and Boudebouz (73’, penalty) for Sochaux ; Boukari (54’) for Rennes.

Yellow card: Kana-Biyik (68’) for Rennes.

Red card : Douchez (70’) for Rennes.

- Stade Rennais FC : Douchez - Danzé, Kana-Biyik, Mangane (cap), Théophile-Catherine - M’Vila, Tettey, Dalmat (Leroy, 18’) - Kembo (Montaño, 66’), Boukari, Brahimi (Camara, 66’).

Coach : Frédéric Antonetti.

- FC Sochaux : Cros - Josse, Perquis (cap), J. Faty, Sauget (Peybernes, 81’) - Boudebouz, Mar. Martin, Anin (Nogueira, 81’), Maurice-Belay - Ideye, Maïga (Bakambu, 86’).

Coach : Francis Gillot.