A game of two halves

After a quick opening of the score, Stade Rennes failed to transform their many chances, especially in the first half, to come back to winning ways against the Olympique Lyonnais. A real shame, as the opportunity was there to punish the seven times France champions…

This was no match for the late-comers at the Stade de la Route de Lorient. In the first seconds of the game, Frédéric Antonetti’s men skipped the early observation stage to immediately put a very lethargic Lyon to the sword.

Probably exhausted after their Champions League game at Benfica (4-3) in the mid-week, the Olympique Lyonnais were suffering in the early stages of this game. The reasons? Determination, movement, pressing, and a Kembo-Ekoko at his best, scoring a screamer after a wonderful nutmeg on Cris . Källström will certainly have nightmares of the Rennes youngster, as the Swedish international seemed completely lost and without solutions on each acceleration by his former team-mate.

After scoring the opener, Rennes went back to their bad habits. While they could have been building their success, the “Rouge et Noir” simply abandoned the ball to Lyon, where Gomis could show all his ability to play with his back to the goal, causing much trouble to Fanni and Théophile-Catherine. However, Dalmat and his team-mates created themselves many big chances, mainly on dead-balls (through Fanni, Danzé, Souprayen), without being able to convert them.

Trailing by only one goal at half time, Lyon equalised thanks to a wonderful free-kick from Bastos - slightly deflected by Dalmat – that slotted in Douchez’ goal top corner. A goal that spoiled a good performance by the Rennes backline, barely put in danger that far. At the same time, Kembo-Ekoko was substituted after one hour in the game, strongly reducing the team’s creative potential.

Although they had not played a single game since October 23rd and their first home defeat to Montpellier (0-1), while Lyon had played three, including a 120 minutes thriller in the Coupe de la Ligue, Stade Rennes were not able to use their better physical condition to take the edge. The draw eventually seemed to please both parties, even though Rennes is still to win since over a month, and the success against Toulouse (3-1).

Marveaux on strike, Souprayen with honours

In the goal, Nicolas Douchez managed a wonderful save on Gomis’ strike early in the game, but he remained powerless against Bastos’ rocket. The makeshift central defence Rod Fanni - Kévin Théophile-Catherine was rather reassuring throughout the match. Sometimes struggling to cope with Gomis and his turning ability, the young 2008 Gambardella Cup winner committed the foul on the Lyon striker that brought the equalising goal. It is part of the learning curve.

At full back, Romain Danzé, captain for the night did not seem impressed and did a perfect job against Bastos and Källström. He had a chance to make the break, with a powerful header on Marveaux’ corner in the first half. At left back, Samuel Souprayen showed interesting abilities for his first start in Ligue 1. Focused, he gave a very serious game and was probably instrumental in Briand’s very average game. His performance was certainly in another league compared to what he usually shows with the Reserve.

Having spent most of his time on the injury list over the last months, Alexander Tettey displayed a very encouraging performance. With Fabien Lemoine missing, he is the only player in this team able to multiply efforts both on the attacking front or in order to press the opponents. Involved in many good moves in the first half, he seemed to tire out in the second. Yann M’Vila did not look like himself over this game. He seemed to lack energy and might start paying for his new status. Positioned as a playmaker, Dalmat showed very present in the final 30 metres. However, he illustrates his team’s lack of efficiency.

Upfront, Jirès Kembo-Ekoko was omnipresent in Rennes’ attacking line. He tortured Källström but knew more difficulties when the former Rennes player swapped positions with Bastos. Involved in all good moves, he showed his best performance as a professional. And he scored too… Replaced by Yacine Brahimi, whose particularity is to have feet sticking to the ball. Maybe a bit too much, and he often forgets to deliver it to his team-mates. He should certainly try and keep his style a bit more simple.

Victor Hugo Montaño’s permanent move did not have the expected results, but the Colombian was rather interesting in the play, giving an assist in the process. He is still recovering from an injury and should progressively come back to his best over the next few weeks. Good news for Antonetti.

But where did Sylvain Marveaux hide yesterday evening? The question needs to be raised, as the left winger was inexistent. As he was since the beginning of this season. This week, Antonetti regretted that he had managed Jimmy Briand’s brother last season. He may have the very same feeling about Marveaux today.

Game Facts

STADE RENNAIS FC 1 – 1 OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS (half-time : 1-0)

Ligue 1, Game Week 12
Saturday, November 6th, 21h00

Stade de la Route de Lorient
Attendance : 28,357 spectators

Referee : Laurent Duhamel

Goals : Jires Kembo-Ekoko (5’) for Rennes. Michel Bastos (54’) for Lyon

Yellow Cards : Michel Bastos (36’) and Jimmy Briand (70’) for Lyon

- Stade rennais FC: Douchez – Danzé (cap), Fanni, Théophile-Catherine, Souprayen - M’Vila, Tettey, Dalmat - Kembo Ekoko (Brahimi, 57’), Montaño (Camara, 80’), Marveaux (Mandjeck, 81’).
Manager : Frédéric Antonetti

- Olympique Lyonnais : Lloris - Cris (cap), Diakhaté, Réveillère, Kallstrom - Pjanic, Makoun, Gourcuff (Toulalan, 80’) – Briand (Lacazette, 79’), Bastos, Gomis (Pied, 91’)
Manager: Claude Puel