The match: 1-2
With good momentum in 2024, Rennes suffered a setback this Sunday. Beaten by Lorient (1-2) at Roazhon Park, in a Breton derby that was long insipid before accelerating after the break, Julien Stéphan’s team missed the opportunity to get closer to the podium, after Nice’s defeat at Toulouse (1-2). It is now seven points behind Monaco, currently third in the ranking.
The Rennes, however, remained on a remarkable series of seven matches without defeat in the Championship (5 wins and 2 draws), their last setback dating back to December 9, against Monaco (1-2). Also qualified in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France, Romain Bourigeaud’s partners were not realistic enough in front of goal, notably Arnaud Kalimuendo (40th), Désiré Doué (50th), Amine Gouiri (71st) – even if -he reduced the gap too late (90th + 4) – or even Christopher Wooh (88th), to hope for better. They were also unfortunate and could have benefited from a penalty for a handball from Julien Laporte, not sanctioned, including by the VAR (35th).
Quite the opposite of Merlus who knew how to provoke luck and above all seize it, first taking advantage of a ball from Steve Mandanda (58th, see below), before validating this victory by Eli Junior Kroupi at the end of match (90th). Thanks to this success against their neighbors, the Lorientais leave the play-off place, now occupied by Montpellier, for the first time this season at the end of a day.
The fact: Mandanda’s mistake
Until then little used, Steve Mandanda had a hole in the second half, in an action which had nevertheless started well for him. First decisive on a strike from Mohamed Bamba, the 2018 world champion with the Blues failed, in the process, to control a new shot from Julien Ponceau. Wanting to catch the ball, the Rennes goalkeeper (38 years old, 35 caps) released it at the feet of Bamba who had followed to open the scoring (58th).
6
Lorient’s Mohamed Bamba becomes the first player to score six goals in his first six matches since Neymar with PSG in September 2017.
2024-03-03 17:59:46
#Rennes #surprised #Lorient #longer #roadblock
