Rennes have a long way to go...

As in the same match last year, the Rouge et Noir could realise against Marseille how far they are to be an even match to the “big” teams of Ligue 1. On losing their home invincibility, the Rennais can nourish big regrets, especially looking at their first half.

Without Erding – left on the bench – at kick-off, the Rennais started by being perfectly in control of their opponents, thanks to a mix that was often successful so far this season: a strong pressing at midfield, possession of the ball and pace on the attacking line.
The beginning of the match was rather balanced however, none of the teams really worrying the other upfront. It was on a rather benign action that Rennes took the advantage. After a free-kick, the Marseille defence struggled to clear the ball. Lucho was challenged by Brahimi and the ball came to Doumbia who shot without controlling from twenty-five metres. Powerful, razing the grass, the ball came in just by the post of Mandanda who could do nothing but see it skim pas his line (1-0, 14’).
Although Marseille tried to react through a shot by Lucho off target (23’) and a headed lob from Amalfitano tipped over the crossbar by Diallo (27’), it was Stade Renes who would have the biggest chances. A cross by Danzé was hit directly by Kembo but Mandanda was there to parry (29’) and on the following corner kick, a vicious shot by Brahimi skimmed the post of the Marseille goalkeeper, completely beaten (30’). A few minutes later, the same Brahimi toyed his way past Azpilicueta and came to face Mandanda, but his shot from angle ended in the side netting (39’).

Not managing to double their lead, the Rennais were facing a situation well known since the beginning of the season and bad luck could be expected. The punishment arrived just before half-time: after Danzé cleared the ball poorly on a header, the ball arrived on Remy who crossed. Apam stood there and tried to counter the ball with a header. Unfortunately, he deflected the ball in the nets of Diallo, surprised and powerless (1-1, 44’).
The Rennais had taken a “knock on the head” in Frédéric Antonetti’s word, and they would not get back up from it. Back from the dressing room, the Marseillais showed more enterprising while Rennes seemed unable to hold the ball anymore. It was the Rouge et Noir who created the first chance of the second half however, following a good triangular play initiated by Féret. The Breton managed to cross the ball for Kembo alone in front of the goal, but Nkoulou managed to counter the shot of the French-Congolese miraculously as Mandanda was diving on the wrong way (49’).

This chance came as the end of Rennes’ attacking efforts. Soon after, Lucho was close to beating Diallo from a Remy cross but the Argentine’s shot at the first post was countered by M’Vila and the ball rolled along the goal-line (50’). Seeing his team losing its track, Frédéric Antonetti decided to make some chances, launching Erding as centre-forward for the last half an hour. With the Rouge et Noir suffering, the French-Turkish striker had few chances to shine for his first game with the Rennes shirt on.

With much more freedom to build their attacks, the Marseillais were coming gradually closer to Diallo’s goals without really threatening him. Finally, they would only be truly dangerous because of Rennes’ mistakes. With fifteen minutes left to play, a misplaced pass by Doumbia, excellent until then, benefited to Cheyrou who hit from the entrance of the penalty area. Diallo dived and managed to parry the ball with a hand, but his save wasn’t strong enough and the ball ended its run at the back of the net (1-2, 77’).

Broken down, the Rennais didn’t have the strength to try and equalise. Marseille even created some chances to extend their lead, as when Remy missed the goal even though Diallo had rushed off his line (88’).
Beaten at home for the first time this season, Stade Rennes see their opponent of the night overtake them in the league table. A defeat which proves that the Rouge et Noir still have a lot of work to do before pretending to truly play for the top of the league table, although the Bretons were equal to their opponents in the first forty five minutes. But Rennes have still a long way to go until June, and the returns of Costil, of the African players currently at the AfCoN and the arrival of Erding are real motives of hope.

Match Facts

STADE RENNAIS FC 1 - 2 OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE (half-time : 1-1)

Ligue 1, Game Week 21
Sunday, January 29th 2012, 21:00

Stade de la route de Lorient
Attendance : about 29 000 spectators

Referee: Alexandre Castro

Goals: Doumbia (15’) for Rennes ; Apam (44’ o.g.) and Cheyrou (77’) for Marseille.

Yellow Cards: Montaño (51’), Doumbia (59’) and Apam (84’) for Rennes ; A. Diarra (68’) for Marseille.

- Stade rennais FC : Diallo - Danzé (cap), Apam, Kana-Biyik, Théophile-Catherine - M’Vila, Pajot, Féret - Kembo (C. Diarra, 80’), Montaño (Pajot, 74’), Brahimi (Erding, 62’).

Manager: Frédéric Antonetti.

- Olympique de Marseille : Mandanda (cap) - Azpilicueta, Fanni, Nkoulou, Morel - A. Diarra, Cheyrou, Lucho (Brandao, 83’) - Amalfitano, Rémy, Valbuena (Sabo, 90’+2).

Manager: Didier Deschamps.