Rennes rises again, puts Brest to the ground
Ligue 1, Stade rennais 2 - 1 Brest. Despite the narrow score line, Stade Rennes were largely dominant, in a derby where Brest showed a rather pale figure. Their reaction during the second half wasn’t enough to prevent a very logical victory for the “Rouge et Noir”, who return to the top positions in the standings.
Stade Rennes pushed Brest away from their throne. Arrived at the Route de Lorient as the league leaders, the Stade Brestois fail to honour their status by putting up a lacklustre display, in the first derby between the teams since 1990.
After the early observation round, and a rather balanced beginning to the game, Stade Rennes took control of the possession progressively during the first half. For Brest, Nolan Roux’ inspirations were sometimes unsettling for Rennes’ defence, but Douchez wasn’t particularly tested.
Rennes, as often this season, was struggling to create chances. A few inoffensive shots by Dalmat, a header by Danzé on a corner-kick, not enough to really bring the danger in front of Elana’s goal. A bit before the end of the first half hour, he was forced to a nice save on a curled shot by Kembo. A first warning. A few minutes later, the same Kembo challenged Daf for the ball and ran towards the goal. His second try was decisive, and another curled shot lodged itself in the top corner of the goal, leaving the keeper powerless (39’).
After the break, Brest came back with better intentions, while Rennes slowly lost control of the game. A trend that would be reinforced after Marveaux, launched in the middle of the Brest defence, injured his thigh and was forced to come out for Leroy (56’). Stade Rennes, who had managed 65% of the ball possession in the first half, started turning into a counter-attacking team. At the 82nd, Montaño managed to turn and feed the ball in the run of Leroy, on his right. The veteran’s power shot lodged itself in the corner of the goal, and the break was done.
_Having guaranteed the victory in that way, Rennes was in control towards the end of the game. And this until the injury time, when Fanni committed an avoidable foul on Roux at the entrance of the penalty area. The penalty was blatant, and Grougi converted it (90’+2). An unnecessary fright for the Rennais, who faced an almighty struggle to prevent Brest from coming back in the last minute of the game. But the most important is elsewhere, the victory was deserved, and allowed Rennes to come back in the right direction after four games without a win.
Match Facts
STADE RENNAIS FC 2 - 1 STADE BRESTOIS (half-time : 1-0)
Ligue 1, Game Week 14
Saturday, November 20th 2010, 19:00
Stade de la route de Lorient
Attendance : 28 879 spectators
Referee: Antony Gautier
Goals : Kembo Ekoko (39’) and Leroy (82’) for Rennes ; Grougi (90’+2 (pen.)) for Brest
Yellow Cards : Fanni (90’+2) for Rennes ; Daf (36’) and Kantari (42’) for Brest
- Stade rennais FC : Douchez - Danzé (cap), Kana-Biyik, Fanni, Théophile-Catherine - M’Vila, Dalmat, Doumbia (Mandjeck, 86’) - Kembo Ekoko (Camara, 72’), Montaño, Marveaux (Leroy, 56’).
Manager: Frédéric Antonetti.
- Stade brestois 29 : Elana - Baysse, Brou Apanga, Kantari, Daf - Poyet, Licka (Micola, 72’), Grougi, Ewolo, Lesoimier (Soumah, 79’) - Roux.
Manager: Alex Dupont.