The fireworks continue

2011 is definitely starting in spectacular style. With eleven goals scored in two games, Frédéric Antonetti’s players showed perfectly, that they can find the way to score goals.

It sesms clear that Norwegian midfielder Tettey plays a crucial role in this attacking awakening. As against Cannes, it was him who unlocked the score board, after 22 minutes, with a beautiful chipped ball from 20 metres. He was there again, taking care of his statistics when he assisted Brahimi with a splendid cross, after a relay with Boukari (38’).

2-0 at half time, the match was already as good as won. Dominant in the possession and use of the ball, Rennes would never be menaced by a weak Arles-Avignon team, which would then show more brutality than footballing qualities.

Ten minutes after the second half restarted, Brahimi was launched in the penalty area and was quicker than Leroy to beat Merville with a crossed shot, finishing to kill any sort of suspense in that match (56e). The game was over, and even more when M. Cailleux sent Arles defender Soro off for a nasty challenge on Leroy’s ankle (70e)

Ten against eleven for the last twenty minutes, Hadzibegic’s players had no option but to regroup in defence in order to avoid a complete humiliation. This didn’t stop the “Rouge et Noir” to create another few chances, through Lemoine – in for the last fifteen minutes -, Boukari, and Brahimi missing the hat-trick by a whisker, alone against the keeper (86’). But the Rennes youngster made up for it in the injury time when he provoked a penalty, following a handball by an Arles defender. M’Vila brought the fireworks to a close, converting the spot-kick and scoring his first goal in Ligue 1.

An easy winner, Rennes keeps on following the pace of the Ligue 1 leader, with the pleasure of taking care of their goal difference. A good omen for the return phase.
Faciles vainqueurs, les Rennais suivent le rythme imposé en tête de la Ligue 1, et se seront payé le luxe de soigner leur différence de but. De bon augure pour la suite de la phase retour.

Match Facts

STADE RENNAIS FC 4 - 0 AC ARLES-AVIGNON (half time : 2-0)

Ligue 1, Game Week 20
Saturday, January 15th 2011, 21:00

Stade de la route de Lorient
Attendance : 19 857 spectators

Referee : Jean-Charles Cailleux

Goals : Tettey (22’), Brahimi (38’, 56’) and M’Vila (90’+1) for Rennes

Bookings : Kembo (44’) for Rennes ; Baldé (34’), Soro (44’) and Kermorgant (87’) for Arles-Avignon.

Sending off : Soro (70’) for Arles-Avignon

- Stade rennais FC : Douchez - Danzé, Kana-Biyik, Mangane (cap), Théophile-Catherine - M’Vila, Tettey, Leroy (Lemoine, 76’) - Kembo (Camara, 76’), Boukari (Julienne, 89’), Brahimi.

Manager : Frédéric Antonetti.

- AC Arles-Avignon : Merville (cap) - Ayasse, Baldé, Soro, Germany - Ait Ben Idir, N’Diaye (Jonathan, 80’), Piocelle, Meriem (Diawara, 73’), Dja Djédjé (Ghilas, 80’) - Kermorgant.

Manager: Faruk Hadzibegic.