See you on July 28th

Without very much at stake, the final league game between Lille and Stade Rennes could be summed up as a matter of challenges. For the Lillois, the biggest motivation was to make sure Moussa Sow would win the best goal scorer award, as well as the possibility to win the title of best defence, in case of a victory by a two or more goals margin.
For Rennes, beside this «best defence challenge », only remained the desire to finish the season on a high, and to keep the fifth position in a distance fight against Sochaux.

Sochaux were soon on their way to victory in Arles-Avignon (3-1), and only a Rennes victory at the Stadium Nord could leave them in with a chance to remain in the top 5… Something of an impossible mission, considering Lille’s superiority.
Before the game, Rennes faced an umpteenth blow with the forfeit of Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik, although he was expected to be included in the starting line-up.

Despite it, Rennes started the game with good intentions, showing a much better figure than a week earlier in Nancy. It has to be said, that the return of Brahimi in the starting line-up, and the wide spaces left by a very attack-minded Lille side gave more opportunities to the Breton forwards.
At the ninth minute, a deflected shot by Boukari was the first threat on Landreau’s goal, but rolled just right of the Lille goal. Ten minutes later, M’Vila was well positioned on the right and forced the former Nantes keeper to a fine save. At the 26th minute, Lady Luck was smiling to Rennes for the first goal. On a long-distance free-kick from Brahimi, Chedjou tried to clear the ball but miscued his shot and beat his own goalkeeper (0-1).
Rennes wouldn’t enjoy their advantage very long. Seven minutes later, Moussa Sow was launched behind a poorly-aligned Rennes defence. Mangane rushed back behind the striker and pushed him to the floor. The penalty, logically awarded, was scored by Sow, with a strong shot under the bar.

At half-time, the score-line remained even, despite a good shot by Gervinho coming close to Douchez’ post. The second half, really lively, was a goal to goal contest between the sides.
Eight minutes after the break, M’Vila tried a long distance shot that Landreau could only push away, but Montaño, grappling with a defender, blasted it over. M’Vila – playing higher than usual – and Boukari were next to test Landreau, without finding their way past him.
With Rennes apparently ready to take control, it was eventually Lille who managed to take the advantage. Perfectly launched by Hazard in the depth, Sow unleashed a powerful shot which Douchez could only touch (2-1). Soon, Lille were taking the upper hand and Frau hit the post with a long shot. It was only a delay, and after a run on the right wing, Gervinho ran around Douchez to offer the ball to Sow, who only had to tap it in the empty goal (3-1).

Rennes weren’t giving up however. Six minutes after Sow’s third goal, on a perfect service by M’Vila, Montaño beat Landreau and closed the gap (3-2). Dominating in the final moments of the game, Stade Rennes could even have equalised, if Leroy’s curled shot hadn’t bounced on the post after leaving Landreau powerless.
It wouldn’t happen, and Lille finished their season on a high by winning three goals to two. Rennes, it’s a meagre consolation, keep their status as the best defence, but the Bretons had to concede their fifth place to FC Sochaux. As a direct consequence, Stade Rennes will have one additional qualifying round to play for the next Europa League, and will therefore start their season before the other Ligue 1 clubs. Rendezvous on July 28th, for the start of this new season.

Match Facts

LILLE OSC 3 - 2 STADE RENNAIS FC (Half-time: 1-1)

Ligue 1, Game Week 38
Sunday, May 29th 2011, 21:00

Stadium Nord Lille Métropole
Attendance: About 17 000 spectators

Referee : Ruddy Buquet

Goals : Sow (35’ pen. 61’, 76’) for Lille ;
Chedjou (26e o.g.) and Montaño (82’) for Rennes

Yellow Card : Leroy (81’) for Rennes

- Stade rennais FC : Douchez - Danzé, Boye, Mangane (cap), Jebbour - Mandjeck, M’Vila, Dalmat (Leroy, 71’) - Brahimi (Lemoine, 62’), Montaño, Boukari (Verhoek, 84’).

Manager : Frédéric Antonetti.

- Lille OSC : Landreau - Debuchy, Rami, Chedjou, Béria - Balmont (Frau, 55’), Mavuba (cap), Cabaye (De Melo, 85’) - Gervinho, Sow (Dumont, 79’), Hazard

Manager : Rudi Garcia.