A flash of brillance from Boukari, and Rennes temporarily leader
Ligue 1, Stade rennais 2 - 0 Lens. After a difficult beginning of the game, against his former team, Razak Boukari has quickly enlightened the stadium with a twenty-five meter shot in the top corner (14’). With a second goal from Montaño (70’), Antonetti’s team has simply managed perfectly the end of the game to secure their 4th consecutive win, and temporarily taking the lead of the Ligue 1.
A match at home against a team in major difficulties is typically the sort of matches that Stade rennais struggles to win. But following on from three consecutive wins in championship, the “Red and Blacks” have been lucky. A luck that allowed Razak Boukari to score on the first opportunity for Rennes, after a difficult quater of hour which has seen Rennes’ players having control of the ball without being able to come close to Lens’ goal. Boukari who was still Lens’ player two months ago, received a lucky deflection and shot splendidly in the top corner of Runje’s goal (1-0, 14’).
Despite being forced back after the goal, Antonetti’s players were still dangerous until halftime. After a great opportunity from Tettey that Runje had to save (29e), Rennes took control of the game once again, and reached halftime leading 1-0.
Montaño secures the win for the “Red and Blacks”
Even though Lens’players were not ridiculous, they could not appear dangerous to Rennes’ players. Rennes’ attacking style was impressive and allowed Montaño to have a run behind Lens’ defenders to challenge Runje, just after halftime. But the Colombian player did not score (50’). Ten minutes later, after an ideal pass in the box from Leroy, he tricked Touré but could not score (58’). Montaño’s determination will be finally rewarded in the middle of the second halftime. Once again after a pass from Leroy, almost in an offside position, he finally beat Runje with his shoot. (2-0, 70’).
After his great performance, Montaño will be substituted by Verhoek, with a standing-ovation.
Lens’ players woke up to late in the game, and had only their real opportunity when Jemaa took advantage of a mistake of Rennes’ defense. But Douchez maintained the advantage by a reflex to save the goal réflexe (85’).
Frédéric Antonetti’s players have managed the match in a perfect manner, after scoring the first goal by Boukari, and they have also forced Laszlo Bölöni’s team to sink deeper in the table.
The information of the night is the fact that the “Red and Blacks” have temporarily taken the lead of the Ligue 1 before Sunday’s match Lille-Lyon.
Match Report
STADE RENNAIS FC 2 - 0 RC LENS (HT score: 1-0)
Ligue 1, 25th round
Saturday 26th February 2011 at 7pm
Stade de la Route de Lorient
Attendance : 22745
Referee : Hervé Piccirillo
Goals : Boukari (14’) and Montaño (70’) for Rennes.
Yellow card : Montaño (70’) for Rennes ;
Varane (62’), Sow (79’) for Lens.
- Stade Rennais FC : Douchez - Danzé (cap.), Boye, Kana-Biyik, Théophile-Catherine - M’Vila, Tettey, Lemoine (Mandjeck, 71’) – Boukari, Montaño (Verhoek, 85’), Leroy (Dalmat, 90’+1).
Coach : Frédéric Antonetti.
- RC Lens : Runje - Queudrue (Toure, 19’), Yahia, Bedimo, Varane, Demont (cap.), Kovacevic, Sow, Roudet (Eduardo, 64’), Jemaa, Akale.
Coach : Laszlo Bölöni.