Théophile-Catherine deals out justice to Rennes

- Draws :
The performance managed by Antonetti’s players in Lyon (1-1) is the fourth consecutive draw of the Stade Rennais on the same score-line at Gerland in Ligue 1. Olympique Lyonnais is also the only team so far to have shared the points in both games (both times 1-1) against Stade Rennais this season.
Finally, this is the first draw in months for Rennes in Ligue 1. The last draw in date was in Bordeaux, on December 12th (0-0). Ten Ligue 1 games have been played since then.

- Second goal for Théophile :
Kévin Théophile-Catherine scored his second goal for Stade Rennes this Saturday evening. The full back scored his first ever goal during the seventh game week game against Sochaux. The Saint-Brieuc born had also scored on a header, but then on a corner. This Saturday evening, in Gerland, he honoured his twenty-fifth start in Ligue 1.

- Verhoek decisive :
After three very discrete appearances with the first team, John Verhoek, arrived from the Netherlands this summer, proved decisive on Saturday evening. Brought in from the bench with 25 minutes left to play, the Dutchman showed a lot of availability. And his entrance was finally paying, since he allowed Théophile-Catherine to equalise by flicking a header across. This is the first time Verhoek is decisive since he arrived in Rennes.

- Fairness :
Stade Rennes weren’t helped by the referee on Saturday evening. The Rennais regretted many litigious decisions of Mr Gautier against them. Frédéric Antonetti made sure to comment on this point after the game: « the first event in the game (the penalty forgotten on Montaño), I will let you debate about it. After a good fifteen minutes, Lyon took the upper hand on the game. We couldn’t get the ball out. Second match event. If Doumbia has been banned for four games after Bordeaux, I think Pjanic should receive the same sanction, if not it’s unfair. Then there is a third match event on the dismissal of Montaño. As for Lovren, if he is still remaining on the pitch after all his fouls, it isn’t fair. At the end of the day, despite all that, we managed a good performance by equalising at the end of the game.”

- Disappointment :
As for Claude Puel, he explained a clear feeling of frustration: “Yes, it is a disappointment. One could be disappointed for less. We managed a good first half and we worked hard. In the second half, we tried to play on and score a second goal. Rennes barely menaced us, but they scored on a set-piece, on which I’m not sure there was a foul. It’s prejudicial for the rest of the season. Especially against a direct competitor. It is difficult to accept.”

- Discipline :
Three Rennais were booked during this game: Tettey (57’), Dalmat (60’) and Doumbia (69’). For Dalmat, this yellow card isn’t incidental for the moment, since it was his first booking of the season.
For Doumbia and Tettey, however, the situation is more tedious. The two players will need to take it easy if they want to avoid a ban (for a third booking in fewer than ten games). Doumbia is under the threat in case he received another yellow cared in the next seven games, Tettey for the next four games.
Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik, already in this situation since two games, will remain under the threat for the next game against Auxerre.

- Dismissal :
Severely sent-off by Mr. Gautier (direct red card), Victor Hugo Montaño will receive an automatic ban for Stade Rennes’ next game.
This is the fourth sending-off for a Rennes player this season. Doumbia (Lens - Rennes), Mangane (Rennes - Sochaux) and Douchez (Sochaux - Rennes) have been presented the red card previously.
Stade Rennes isn’t the worst team in Ligue 1 on this level. Lorient and Nancy have already experienced five sending-offs in their team since the beginning of the season, Montpellier six.

- On the podium :
With 50 points to their tally, Stade Rennes is sure to spend the international break safely on the podium. With their victory in Brest, Lille, the Ligue 1 leaders, have taken a five points advantage on their rivals (55 points). If they won against Paris tonight, Marseille (48 points) would take the second position off the hands of the Stade Rennais. The gap is extending behind with the teams chasing the PSG (5th with 45 points), with Saint-Étienne (6th) and Montpellier (7th) six points behind (39 points)

- International break :
Next week, several Rennais will join their respective national teams. They will return to la Piverdière the following week in order to prepare the hosting of Auxerre at the Stade de la Route de Lorient, on the week-end of April 2nd. This will be the beginning of a run of ten consecutive championship games, the last ten of the season.