Much better, but only one point

A positive result was necessary. After eight games without a single win, and a threat on their European slot, Stade Rennais wasn’t allowed to fail again, against a Caen side fighting for their survival in Ligue 1. From the start, the “Rouge et Noir” controlled the game. Rennes tried: through Danzé first, whose cross towards Montaño was cleared by the Caen defence. Through Leroy then, whose free-kick was too long. Lemoine, still on a free-kick, didn’t get any luckier and hit the wall (13’). A few minutes later, Montaño pushed his ball too far in the penalty area, and hit the ball directly in the stands.

With fifteen minutes played, although Rennes was dominating the game, there wasn’t one dangerous opportunity to put to their credit. Antonetti’s men had to resort to set-pieces. On a free-kick, Mangane’s header flew over Thébaux’ goal (16’), before Kana-Biyik headed the ball on the crossbar, following a corner-kick (21’). Although Yatabaré gave a few scares to the Breton fans with a shot whistling past Nicolas Douchez’ left post, the pressure was clearly mounting over the Caen goal. At the 25th minute, Tettey forced Thébaux to a good save on a long shot. The Normand goalkeeper would be tested again on the resulting free-kick.

Mangane, a providential goal scorer as a symbol of Rennes’ attacking woes

Stade Rennes kept on pushing with evident good will. Tettey was even mightily close to score on a cross by Boukari from the left, but the ball was miraculously cleared away by the Caen defence (39’). Caen struggled, but still forced Douchez to a flying block on a counter to catch a ball under Traoré’s threat (42’). But the time had arrived for Rennes’ deliverance. On a cross by Leroy, Mangane, remained in the penalty area, eliminated his defender with an inspired header before hitting the ball into Thébaux’ inside netting (1-0, 44’). A symbol, for a player still doubtful on the morning of the game. Also a symbol of a Rennes attack struggling to score: the Bretons had not led in a game since Match 5th…

Rennes’ advantage was short-lived. Clearly decided to take more risks, Franck Dumas made three changes. Caen was staking everything, and it proved right. After a good work at midfield, Mollo launched El Arabi who crossed for Niang in the penalty area. The striker, despite an offside position at the beginning of the action, only needed to push the ball into Douchez’ goal (1-1, 54’). Back to square one for Rennes, even though they seemed to have bagged that match and control it.

One match-point each

After Caen’s equaliser, the game’s tempo went up. Caen was dangerous and put the Rennes defence at risk. The Normans even thought they had taken the advantage on a goal by Mollo, but he was flagged for offside (59’). The reversal was complete, and Stade Rennes were now suffering under Caen’s pressing. Looking for a solution, Antonetti brought in Verhoek and Dalmat. Just entered, on a poor clearance by the Caen defence, the midfielder chipped a ball from the entrance of a penalty area, but his superb effort bounced on Thébaux’ right post and out (74’).

Rennes wasn’t giving up, and tried again, from long range, through M’Vila (77’). Each team would then have a match winning opportunity. Caen at first, whose twenty-five meters shot was parried by Douchez (89’). The Rennes goalkeeper tipped the ball beautifully for a corner. Rennes then, who saw Montaño’s shot from within the penalty area stopped by Thébaux (90’+1), and a chance for Mangane, in attack, who couldn’t convert Camara’s cross (90’+2).

The score line wouldn’t change anymore. Rennes showed much more than during its last games, controlling the first half and showing a better ability in the play, but is still failing to win – for the ninth consecutive game. Although Stade Rennes remains in fifth place, the competition is catching-up: in-form Sochaux are now only one point behind the Breton club.

Match Facts

STADE RENNAIS FC 1 - 1 SM CAEN (Half-time: 1-0)

Ligue 1, Game Week 35
Wednesday, May 11th, 2011, 19:00

Stade de la Route de Lorient
Attendance : about 19,000 spectators

Goals : Mangane (44’) for Rennes.
Niang (54’) for Caen.

Arbitre : Laurent Duhamel

Yellow Cards : Montaño (80’) for Rennes.
Sorbon (35’) and Niang (90’) for Caen.

- Stade Rennais FC : Douchez - Danzé, Kana-Biyik, Mangane (cap.), Souprayen - M’Vila, Lemoine (Dalmat, 73’), Tettey - Leroy (Camara, 81’), Montaño, Boukari (Verhoek, 73’).

Manager : Frédéric Antonetti.

- SM Caen : Thébaux - Sorbon, Seube (cap), Heurtaux (Leca, 46’), Inez - Hamouma, Yatabaré (El Arabi, 50’), Raineau, Mollo - Nivet, Traoré (Niang, 50’).

Manager : Franck Dumas.