A scrappy win, but a win nonetheless

Four days after its victory against Évian-Thonon-Gaillard (3-2) in the Coupe de France, Rennes beat a Sochaux team inexistent in the first half, unable to up its game in adversity , without solutions and whose limited mental resources is a source of concern for the near future. Facing this lack of imagination, Rennes didn’t have to work too hard to get its way. All it took was a pass from Féret in the run of Pitroipa to take the game over. The Rennes virtuoso found Erding who, from the penalty-spot, headed the ball out of reach of Cros, absolutely powerless on this inspiration of the Turkish international (1-0, 16’). Chances were rare in this first half, but Stade Rennes imposed its collective strength, without really shining.
The only bad note to the first half came when Apam was forced to leave the pitch. Starting at right-back, the Nigerian was replaced after half an hour, following a seemingly benign action where his knee came to knock the legs of his foremer team-mate Abdoul Camara and of Vincent Pajot. In to replace him, Danzé found Pitroipa and Pajot at the entrance of the penalty area on some of his first touches of the ball. The latter managed a perfect volley, but was denied by the crossbar (30’). What about Sochaux? Not much. Except for a few crosses perfectly caught by Costil and a shot by Camara as imprecise as powerless (32’). Lacking support in attack, Butin became anonymous, not helped by the lack of attacking moves by his partners.

When fear takes over...

The difference between the teams also appeared within its individualities. With Féret, Kembo, Pitroipa and now Erding, Stade Rennes is rather well equipped in this area. Pitroipa sneaked in between Boudebouz and Sauget before attempting a shot that flew wide (46’), before Kembo knew the same misadventure following a great delivery from Féret (49’). Well decided not to repeat errors from the past, the Rennais were doing everything they could to try and double their lead and avoid the possibility of a possible awakening of Sochaux. Féret also tried his luck, over the bar (54’). Rennes finally started to get on the back-foot, trying to protect their meagre but highly precious advantage.
As often, the Rouge et Noir started to look increasingly tired against a Sochaux team showing more enthusiastic but not really pushing the final thirty metres. The entrance of Privat brought more weight and consistency to their attacks but his first attempt, after stealing the ball off Kana-Biyik, wasn’t really a worry for Costil (65’). As time went time, Marvin Martin and his team-mates profited of the passivity of the locals to shine. Perquis first (77’), then Privat again, who was deprived of a controversial goal following a dodgy offside call (80’). The last fright, in a game that will be remembered for the result rather than for the content.

Match Facts

STADE RENNAIS FC 1 - 0 SOCHAUX FC (half-time : 1-0)

Ligue 1, Game Week 23
Saturday, February 11th, 2012, 18:00

Stade de la route de Lorient
Attendance : 17 177 spectators

Referee : Nicolas Rainville

Goal : Erding (16’) for Rennes.

Yellow Card : Banana (33’) for Sochaux.

- Stade Rennais FC : Costil - Apam (Danzé, 24’), Mangane (cap), Kana-Biyik, Théophile-Catherine - M’Vila, Pajot, Féret (Brahimi, 67’) - Kembo (Doumbia, 75’), Erding, Pitroipa.

Manager: Frédéric Antonetti.

- Sochaux FC: Cros - Sauget, Perquis, Mouyokolo, Mikari - Doubai (Privat, 62’), Banana, Martin - Boudebouz, Butin, Ab. Camara (Davies, 78’).

Manager : Mecha Bazdarevic.