Return to earth

One could have dreaded to see the Rennais crumbling under the pressure. In fact, although Marseille was having most of the ball in the early stages, the Bretons were soon playing better. Well in position, Antonetti’s team imposed the pace, without really generating danger. The only chances worth mentioning were a header by Mangane (8’), a Rennes counter led by Boukari (14’) or an attempt to lob Mandanda by Leroy (20’). Rennes wasn’t more fortunate on set-pieces, as in this combination between Leroy and Mangane – at the end of the action- that wouldn’t give anything.

The first really dangerous chance was to the credit of Marseille. As Rennes’ defence had remained static, Ayew, at the receiving end of a one-two with Lucho, arrive on the left of Rennes’ penalty area. The striker gave his shot too much angle and the ball rolled in front of Douchez’ goal (22’). Rennes had taken control of the match but wasn’t sheltered against Marseille’s attacks. The “Rouge et Noir” would understand it in a bitter way two minutes later when, after a combination on the left wing, Ayew crossed for a header by Rémy, which left Douchez powerless (0-1, 24’). The former Nice man made the best of a marking error by Rennes’ defence to dive in between two Breton defenders.

Marseille’s realism

Despite their domination, Stade Rennes were the victims of Marseille’s realism. Far from giving up however, Antonetti’s men kept on attacking Marseille’s defence. Through Dalmat, first, who tried his luck from 25 metres (27’) before being brought down in his run by the penalty area’s entrance (36’). The following free-kick, taken by Leroy, ended up in Marseille’s defensive wall. In the dying instants of the first half, Boukari was also offered an opportunity to equalise but, well set-up by a long diagonal pass from M’Vila’ the former Lens man shot wide (43’). Rennes was back to the dressing room trailing 1-0, but it could have been more if Rémy, making the best of a slack defending, hadn’t placed his header over the bar.

Rennes started the second half well. More aggressive, more present in the one-to-ones, Antonetti’s men were soon creating themselves a good chance. On a free-kick by Leroy, M’Vila volleyed a few metres from the goal and saw his shot pushed away by Mandanda (48’). Marseille’s reaction intervened a few minutes later on a shot by Rémy. Profiting of a good service from André Ayew, the French international was denied by a fine save from Douchez.

Marseille hit on the break

Frédéric Antonetti then decided to bring fresh blood on the pitch by replacing Dalmat and Leroy with Lemoine and Kembop. Alas, Marseille were creating the clearest chances. At the 75th minute, Jordan Ayew, just entered into play, prepared to defy Douchez but a last-gasp tackle by Kana-Biyik denied him the chance of a duel. Earlier, Gignac (69’) had seen his shot stopped by the Rennes goalkeeper while a cross-shot by Remy came close (70’).

Although Boukari (65’) and Kembo on a miscued shot (76’) entertained the hopes for Rennes, it was Marseille who eventually hit on the break: on a cross by Jordan Ayew, Lucho didn’t give a chance to Douchez (2-0, 79’) and led Marseille to victory. It nearly turned into a punishment when Taiwo, during injury time, hit the bar of a well-beaten Nicolas Douchez (90’).

Superiors in the first half, return after half-time with good intentions, Rennes weren’t able to worry Marseille’s defence. To the contrary of an OM efficient and pragmatic, Rennes didn’t create enough clear chances and conceded their first defeat against one of the League’s “big teams” this season. The “Rouge et Noir” will have the opportunity to react next week against another pretender to European position: The Olympique Lyonnais.

Match Facts

STADE RENNAIS FC 0 - 2 OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE (half-time : 0-1)

Ligue 1, Game Week 27
Friday, March 11, 2011, 21 h 00

Stade de la Route de Lorient
Attendance : 29 002 spectators

Referee : Clément Turpin

Goals : Rémy (24’), Lucho (79’) for Marseille.

Yellow Cards : Leroy (28’), Montaño (74’) for Rennes ;
Diawara (16’), Mbia (36’) for Marseille.

- Stade Rennais FC : Douchez - Danzé, Mangane (cap.), Kana-Biyik, Théophile-Catherine - M’Vila, Dalmat (Lemoine, 57’), Tettey - Leroy (Kembo, 62’), Montaño (Camara, 78’), Boukari.

Manager : Frédéric Antonetti.

- Olympique de Marseille : Mandanda (cap.) - Fanni, Diawara, Heinze, Taiwo - Mbia, Cheyrou, Lucho (Kaboré, 86’) - Rémy (Valbuena, 84’), Gignac (J. Ayew, 71’), A. Ayew.

Manager : Didier Deschamps.