Rennes make a big step

A difficult equation to solve for Stade Rennes in the first minutes of the game, in a white hot « Marakana » Stadium of Belgrade. Against the Red Star, forced to try and make the difference in the first leg – and therefore playing its best team - Frédéric Antonetti decided to rotate part of his squad, notably giving starts to youngsters Pajot and Mavinga, but also Boye and Dalmat, and leaving a few key players on the bench, including Yann M’Vila.

A poor decision? Looking at the early stages of the game and the Serbian furia during the first half hour, one could have thought so. Possibly inhibited by the infernal noise coming from the stand, the Rennais struggled to exist, completely torn apart by their opponents. The Serbian multiplied combinations and used the wings a lot, painfully stretching the Rennes defence.
At the sixteenth minute, the Serbian were awarded a penalty-kick. On a cross, John Boye handballed and the referee, Mr. Duarte Gomes, didn’t hesitate to sanction him. Brazilian Kadu converted the spot-kick powerfully, after taking a halt in his run to confuse Costil (17’).

The « Rouge et Noir » had their work cut out, but they eventually reacted as the first half went one. Focusing on his defensive work during the early stages, Pitroipa started to shine in attack to support Boukari, nearly invisible during half an hour.
On the first real occasion for the Stade Rennais, the burkinabé managed to score the equaliser. Well assisted by Dalmat after a good triangular phase of play, the Rennes recruit ran free and placed his shot in cold blood to beat Bajkovic who was left powerless (41’). With that away goal, so important in those two-legged ties, Stade Rennes was back in the right direction and hurt their opponent.

In the second half, the impression left in the end of the first half was confirmed. With more control of the play and more ball possession, the Rennais were dominating a Serbian team now looking rather harmless.
One hour in the game, the entrance of M’Vila ended up stabilising a midfield much more conquering in the ball recovery, and projecting themselves forward as fast as possible. Mangane on a corner, but also Pitroipa or M’Vila were close to score Rennes’ second goal. Finally, the deliverance came fifteen minutes before the final whistle: at the end of a left wing rush, Pitroipa managed to deliver a back pass to Montaño whose shot in pivot left Bakjovic without a chance (75’).

A goal and a precious success for a Rennes team finally rather solid. This victory allows the “Rouge et Noir” to look at the return leg, at the Route de Lorient next week, with renewed serenity.

Match Facts

RED STAR BELGRADE 1 - 2 STADE RENNAIS FC (Half Time : 1-1)

Europa League, Play off 1st leg
Thursday, August 18th, 2011 à 20:30
Red Star Stadium, Belgrade
Attendance : about 55 000 spectators

Referee : Duarte Gomes (Portugal)

Goals : Kadu (17’ pen.) for Belgrade ; Pitroipa (41’) and Montaño (75’) for Rennes

Yellow Cards : Evandro (58’), Ćosić (63’) et Vilotić (78’) for Belgrade ; Montaño (76’) for Rennes

- Stade rennais FC : Costil - Danzé, Mangane (cap), Boye, Mavinga - Tettey, Pajot, Dalmat (M’Vila, 61’) - Pitroipa (Kembo, 76’), Boukari (Montaño, 67’), Féret.

Manager : Frédéric Antonetti.

- Étoile rouge de Belgrade : Bajkovic - Mikic, Cosic, Vilotic, Tosic - Lazovic (Vesovic, 77’), Kovacevic (cap), Dimitrijevic - Kadu (Evandro, 56’), Kaludjerovic (Mezenga, 66’), Borja.

Manager : Robert Prosinecki.