Rennes lose big

Never successful in Rennes in the league, Lorient was quick to set-up their fast-attacking football. The Merlus played high and were considerably disturbing Rennes by pressing for the ball in the “Rouge et Noir”’s half. Christian Gourcuff’s men even created the first chance of the game: alone against Douchez after a good cross from Amalfitano, Gameiro scuffed his volley.
Jamais vainqueur à Rennes en championnant, Lorient met peu de temps à déployer son jeu rapide et tourné vers l’avant. Les Merlus sont positionnés haut et gênent considérablement le jeu rennais en récupérant la balle dans la moitié de terrain des “Rouge et Noir”. Les hommes de Christian Gourcuff se procurent d’ailleurs la première occasion dangereuse de la rencontre : seul face à Douchez suite à un bon centre d’Amalfitano, Gameiro manque sa reprise (9e).

Rennes struggling but scoring first

Stade Rennes suffered against Lorient’s lively football, but started coming out of the mist. At the 20th minute, after a good delivery in the penalty area, Montaño controlled and shot to goal, but Audard pushed the ball away. Two minutes later, Dalmat ran into the Lorient defence and opened his way to the goal with a good feint. His low-shot ended in the inside netting (23’, 1-0). Dominated, Rennes could consider themselves happy to lead. An advantage that would also allow Antonetti’s men to gain in confidence. At the 24th minute, Boukari accelerated and made his way between three Lorient players. The ball was countered and return in Kembo’s feet, but his show went high and wide. On the next action, it was Boukari’s turn to miss the target (25’).

Not giving up, the « Merlus » would reply by creating two major chances through Kévin Gameiro. At the 28th, first, when the Lorient striker, on a one-to-one against Douchez, missed his shot by knocking the ball with his knee. A few minutes later, he presented himself alone against Douchez once again, but his hesitations allowed the Rennes defence to rescue the situation (34’). Rennes was still leading, and could thank the –unusual – clumsiness of Kévin Gameiro. Rennes would return to the dressing room with only ten men however: cautioned twice in only a few minutes, Samuel Souprayen was sent-off just before half-time (38’).

Gameiro makes up for his mistakes

Reduced down to ten men, Stade Rennais were preparing for an attack vs defence game in the second half. Frédéric Antonetti knew it, and decided to bring Jebbour and Mandjeck off the bench to replace Kembo and Boukari. Alas, Rennes would only resist six minutes. On a cross from the left by Amalfitano, Gameiro headed the ball in and offered Lorient the equaliser (51’, 1-1). The Lorient striker, unfortunate in the first half, was quick to make up for it in the second.

For the « Merlus », the pair of Gameiro and Amalfitano was involved in all dangerous situations. After providing the assist for the equalised, Amalfitano – receiving a ball from Gameiro – was once again at the origin of his team’s second goal: his shot was pushed by Douchez, whose handling mistake proved fatal for the team. Coquelin had followed and could only push the ball into the Rennes goals (62’, 1-2). Leading on the scoreboard, in numerical superiority, Lorient could sit back and manage their advantage – which the “Merlus” did perfectly in order to monopolise the ball.

Rennes finish with 9 men

Another game event would change the deal again at the end of the game. Booked for a foul, Kana-Biyik applauded his yellow card and was consequently sent-off by the referee, who delivered him a second yellow meaning red (85’). Rennes would finish the game with 9 players against 11, but the sending-off of Kana-Biyik seemed to re-energise the “Rouge et Noir” who would throw their last forces in the game. Stade Rennes would earn two corners, but in vain.

With this defeat, Antonetti’s men have lost big. First, because they will have to do without Souprayen and Kana-Biyik, dismissed, next Sunday in Monaco. These absences in defence will add-up to this of Théophile-Catherine, injured. Also because with a fifth game without a win – and a second defeat in two Breton derbies -, Rennes is now distanced in the race for Europe. The “Rouge et Noir” could even abandon their fifth place to Paris SG as soon as this Sunday.

Game Facts

STADE RENNAIS FC 1 - 2 FC LORIENT (half time : 1-0)

Ligue 1, 31th Game Week
Saturday, April 16th 2011, 19:00

Stade de la Route de Lorient
Attendance : about 27,000 spectators

Goals : Dalmat (23’) for Rennes.
Gameiro (51’), Coquelin (62’) for Lorient.

Referee : Alexandre Castro

Yellow Cards : Souprayen (32’), Montaño (45’+3), Kana-Biyik (85’) for Rennes.
Romao (33’), Ecuélé Manga (45’+3), Bourillon (65’) for Lorient.

Red Cards : Souprayen (39’), Kana-Biyik (86’) for Rennes.

- Stade Rennais FC : Douchez - Danzé (Boye, 66’), Kana-Biyik, Mangane Souprayen - M’Vila, Dalmat, Leroy - Kembo (Jebbour, 40’), Montaño, Boukari (Mandjeck, 46’).

Manager : Frédéric Antonetti.

- FC Lorient : Audard (cap.) - Baca, Bourillon, Ecuélé Manga, Morel - Coquelin (Fanchone, 81’), Romao, Mvuemba, Monnet-Paquet (Diarra, 40’) - Amalfitano, Gameiro (Sunu, 82’).

Manager : Christian Gourcuff.