Rennes stalls in Lille

Dimitri Foulquier had a tricky baptism of fire. Given his first start in Ligue 1, the young (18) right back was often put into difficulty, as the whole of the Rennes defence. As early as the 6th minute, Kana-Biyik managed to counter Cole’s attempt on goal on a service by Debuchy, but he couldn’t prevent Sow, lurking in the area, to open the score for Lille (7’). Lille was ahead on the score board, but it was Rennes that put their hand on the game and tried to inject some pace: after fifteen minutes, Rennes had enjoyed 58% of the ball possession.

Rennes put in difficulty

The situation would soon revert and the LOSC, back in the game, started monopolising the ball. A ball which the Rennais were more and more struggling to recover: Antonetti’s men couldn’t get anywhere near the Lille goal and multiplied the fouls, offering several dangerous free-kick opportunities to their opponent. And it was on a free-kick by Hazard, slightly deflected by Balmont, that Lille scored its second goal (32’). Costil, surprised by the deflection and possibly disturbed by the sun was powerless. The Stade Rennes was committing way too many technical mistakes and put to the sword by a Lille agonizingly close to finish them-off before the rest through Sow, but the former “Rouge et Noir”’s effort was tipped away by Costil (42’). At halft-time, the score-line could have been much more severe for Rennes.

Half-time was the occasion for Frédéric Antonetti to revamp his team. Danzé and Kembo replaced Foulquier and Tettey respectively, while Pajot, playing a little bit lower at midfield, paired with M’Vila to form a very effective duo before the defence. Rennes came in the second half with much better intentions than in the first, and finally created itself a real chance when Féret connected to a cross by Mavinga (48’). Landreau was there to parry it, and the Lille keeper even produced a double save to then deny Pitroipa’s shot.

A good start to the second half, in vain

The Bretons managed a good first fifteen minutes in the second half, and could raise some hopes in front of a sometimes shaky LOSC defence. But Rennes domination would remain sterile. The “Rouge et Noir” lacked fluidity and couldn’t really threaten the Lillois, dangerous on counter-attacks, as when Mandjeck stole the ball in the feet of Cole – in perfect striking position – with a superb defensive tackle (71’).

Unable to show decisive when it was at its best in this game, the Stade Rennais couldn’t hope for a better result against Lille, which Rennes hasn’t beaten on its pitch since 1966. The international break should allow the “Rouge et Noir” to recover a few players in order to face Lorient in the best dispositions in two weeks.

Match Facts

LILLE OSC 2 - 0 STADE RENNAIS FC (half-time : 2-0)

Ligue 1, Game Week 9
Sunday, October 2nd, 17:00

Stadium Nord Lille Métropole
Attendance : 18 000 spectators

Referee: Wilfried Bien

Goals : Sow (7’), Balmont (32’).

Yellow Cards : Mavinga (22’), Tettey (30’), Kana-Biyik (66’) for Rennes. Balmont (57’), Gueye (90’) for Lille.

- Stade Rennais FC : Costil - Foulquier (Danzé, 46’), Kana-Biyik, Mandjeck, Mavinga - M’Vila (cap.), Pajot, Tettey (Kembo, 46’) - Féret (Montaño, 75’), Hadji, Pitroipa.

Manager : Frédéric Antonetti.

- Lille OSC : Landreau - Debuchy, Basa, Beria, Rozehnal - Balmont (Gueye, 58’), Mavuba (cap.), Pedretti - Hazard, Sow (Rodelin, 78’), Cole (Jelen, 88’).

Manager : Rudi Garcia.