It was time for the game to end

There are evenings in which one would like the final whistle to be blown much earlier than initially expected. This is probably what Kader Mangane and his team-mates felt this Sunday, lost on the pitch at La Mosson in the scorching heat of Montpellier. Beyond the much deserved scoreline, two figures are enough to illustrate the failure of Rennes: the number of shots on target (only one) and the minute in which Rennes obtained their first corner-kick (80’).

The main strength of Stade Rennes last summer, the Breton defence had a nightmare. The first minutes of the game, in which Théophile-Catherine was consistently outpaced by Bedimo, is a good illustration. Starting at right back - Danzé sat on the bench for the first time since nearly 11 months in an official game -, the Rennes defender is far from being the only player at fault however.

Rennes don’t create chances

Despite a clear domination of the ball possession, Montpellier created little dangerous opportunities in the first half hour. It would take a foul by Costil on Bocaly (29’) for the men from Hérault to score the first goal through a Belhanda penalty (1-0, 31’). On the other side, Rennes struggled to get anywhere near the opposition’s area, proposing a very poor display in terms of attack. Behind Féret, clearly not inspired on his free-kicks, the Breton team was struggling.

These difficulties were no comparison to what Antonetti’s men were getting ready to experience in the second half. A bit lucky – and clearly exploiting the shambles of Rennes’ defence -, Dernis managed to gain the ball thirty metres away from Costil’s goal. His shot left the “Rouge et Noir” goalkeeper powerless (2-0, 54’). Two minutes later, Utaka failed to find the target (54’). Montpellier was passing the ball around, and was mightily close to exploit the passivity of the Rennes defence once again. Having stopped playing in the impression of an offside, the defenders let Giroud go for a one-to-one against Costil, but the striker’s shot was wide (70’).

Breton nightmare

On the next phase of play, Souleymane Camara slalomed in the Rennes area before capping his move with a goal (3-0, 72’). The show continued for Montpellier. A fourth Montpellier goal was close, but Costil saved his team with a good save (83’). It was only a matter of time however, and three minutes later, Camara signed his brace with a distance shot (4-0, 86’). Rennes would only then manage their biggest chance of the game when Boukari, in his run, connected instantly to a cross by Mavinga. But the former Lensois blasted the ball over the goal (88’).

The Breton nightmare would end at 4-0. It was time for the game to end for the Rennais completely out of the game and conceding their first defeat of the season. Some sort of return to earth following a string of good results. Now, the players will have to get back to better ways against the Red Star Belgrade in order to seal their qualification to the Europa League. And to be able to file this game against Montpellier in the folder of bad memories.

Match Facts

MONTPELLIER HSC 4 - 0 STADE RENNAIS FC (half-time : 1-0)

Ligue 1, Game Week 3
Sunday, August 21st, 17:00

Stade de la Mosson
Attendance : 14 021 spectators

Referee : Alexandre Castro

Goals : Belhanda (31’, pen.), Dernis (52’), S. Camara (72’, 86’) for Montpellier.

Yellow Cards : Costil (30’), Mavinga (38’), Kana-Biyik (40’) for Rennes ; Yanga-Mbiwa (45’), Hilton (56’), Dernis (63’), Saihi (74’) for Montpellier.

- Stade Rennais FC : Costil - Théophile-Catherine, Mangane (cap), Kana-Biyik, Théophile-Catherine - Mandjeck, M’Vila, Féret (Tettey, 62’) - Pitroipa (Kembo, 74’), Montaño, Camara (Boukari, 46’).

Manager : Frédéric Antonetti.

- Montpellier HSC : Pionnier - Bocaly, Yanga-Mbiwa (cap), Hilton, Bedimo - Saihi, Belhanda (J. Marveaux, 66’), Estrada - Dernis (S. Camara, 66’), Giroud, Utaka (Jeunechamp, 88’).

Manager : René Girard.