A draw with a taste of victory

Beaten 4-0 by Saint-Étienne last week-end, Rennes showed a completely different attitude against Lille in the early stages of the game, earing multiple chances. Unstoppable on the left wing, Pitroipa – after a good combination – eliminated his defender to bring the danger in front of the Lille goal, but his cross didn’t reach any team-mate and was cleared by the Lille defence. On the following action, the Burkinabe launched Erding on his left, but the Turk’s shot was blocked by Landreau (7’). Two minutes later, it was Kana-Biyik’s turn to face Landreau in an unusual centre-forward position, at the reception of a pass from Féret. Once again, the Lille goalkeeper was present to stop the Rennais’ effort (9’).

The Rennes goalkeeper was tested again soon, on a heavy shot by Théophile-Catherine following a one-two with Pitroipa (12’). A few minutes later, Kana-Biyik placed a header at far-post from a corner-kick, but he only hit the outside netting (18’) as the whole stadium believed in a goal.

Double punishment for Rennes

Rennes was dangerous, showing good collective intentions and creating chances, but once again, the “Rouge et Noir” could not capitalise on their chances. The Bretons were largely superior in the early stages of the game while Lille struggled in the early stages. Lille would obtain its first chance of the game at the 27th minute of the game only, when Pedretti hit a curled shot from the outside of the penalty area. The former Auxerre man had seen Costil slightly advanced and tried his chance, but the ball flew over the target.

After a pleasant first thirty minutes, the rhythm of the game lowered slightly. An unexpected event would then change the run of the game completely: for a strong challenge on Roux (37’) and a trip on Joe Cole, Apam received two yellow cards in a minute and was –severely – dismissed (38’). On the free-kick following this last foul, while Boye was getting ready to come in on the touch-line, Lille scored the first goal of the game through a header by Chedjou (0-1, 40’). A very cruel blow for Rennes, punished twice and left to rue their missed chances. Beating the offside trap, Roux was very close to double his team’s lead a minute later, but Costil was vigilant (41’).

Stade Rennes would have an opportunity to equalise before the break however. On a good individual action, Kembo sprinted from the central circle to the entrance of the area and shot at goal, but Landreau was present once again (49’). The Lille counter-attack was immediate, but the players from the North dithered in front of the goal.

Rennes creating the chances

Although it was in control of the game, the LOSC was put in difficulty several times by a 10-man Rennes. Erding came alone in the Lille penalty area, but while the former Parisien prepared to shoot, Pajot took the ball of his foot and shot wide (55’). Then, on a corner by Pitroipa, Danzé received the ball alone at far post. Visibly surprised to receive the ball in such a great position, he couldn’t push it into Landreau’s net (66’). The Rennes captain then delivered a good cross for M’Vila, whose volley from 10 yards flew well over the Lille goal (68’).

Lille controlled its advantage and tried to bit Rennes on the counter, but without efficiency. Roux missed the target on a counter (66’), just after Cole was denied by Costil on a long-range shot (65’).

With 10 men against 11, Stade Rennes had the chances and the state of mind to equalise. Antonetti tried his last card by introducing Boukari (81’). But the relief would come from Erding: receiving the ball in the 6 metre box after a superb long-ball from Kana-Biyik, the Turkish striker beat Landreau with the inside of his right-foot (1-1, 90’). The Stade de la Route de Lorient exploded. On the brink of collapse two minutes later after an attacking move led by Jelen and Pedretti, Rennes snatched an equaliser as deserved as it was unexpected. Good for the moral.

Match Facts

STADE RENNAIS FC 1 - 1 LILLE OSC (half-time : 0-1)

Ligue 1, 25e journée
Sunday, February 26th 2012, 21:00

Stade de la Route de Lorient
Attendance : 19 834 spectators

Referee : Clément Turpin

Goals : Erding (90’) for Rennes. Chedjou (40’) for Lille.

Yellow Cards : Danzé (5’), Apam (37’), Théophile-Catherine (61’), Féret (90+1’) for Rennes. Digne (24’), Gueye (45’+1), Debuchy (69’) for Lille.

Red Card : Apam (38’)

- Stade Rennais FC : Costil - Danzé, Apam, Kana-Biyik, Théophile-Catherine - M’Vila, Pajot (Boukari, 81’), Féret (Boye, 43’) - Kembo (Tettey, 60’), Erding, Pitroipa.

Manager : Frédéric Antonetti.

- Lille OSC : Landreau - Debuchy, Chedjou, Cetto, Digne - Gueye, Mavuba, Pedretti (Bruno, 90’+3) - Cole (Payet, 82’), Roux (Jelen, 73’), Hazard.

Manager : Rudi Garcia.