A victory and a breath of fresh air before the holidays
Ligue 1, Stade Rennais 1 - 0 Bordeaux. On the verge of implosion before the game, Rennes will enter the winter break with renewed serenity after a good victory against the Girondins. Rennes, shaky in the first half, was much more enterprising in the second, thanks in part to the entrance of Brahimi at half-time.
Return to winning ways and put the « Rouge et Noire » house back in marching order. These were Rennes’ intentions before facing Bordeaux in this year’s final home game. Rennes without Féret – out of the squad – and Danzé – on the bench -, showed good will in the early stages but still seemed shy. Indeed, it was Bordeaux who took the first initiatives with a first shot by Bellion (4’), and a long range attempt from Plasil over Costil’s goal (12’).
Kembo does it again
The first shot on target for Rennes happened at the 18th minute, through Montaño. A couple of minutes later, recovering a ball lost by the Girondins, Pitroipa’s effort was out of the frame (16’). Getting better in terms of ball possession, Antonetti’s men were starting to take the edge, but the opportunities were rare for both sides. Except for a counter-attack led by the “Rouge et Noir” with Kembo and Pitroipa – in an offside position – at the conclusion (37’) and a header over the crossbar by Montano on a cross by Pajot (44’). At the end of a lacklustre first half, Rennes had only shot twice on target, Bordeaux hadn’t.
The contrast with the second half would be total. Led by Brahimi, off the bench to replace Doumbia, the “Rouge et Noir” came back on the pitch a different team. At the 46th minute, Mavinga – in a position to cross from the left wing – stole the ball off Ben Khalfallah and managed to feed Pitroipa, whose shot skimmed the upright of Carrasso’s goal. On the following phase, following a good combination between Montaño, Pitroipa and Brahimi, the latter, free of any marking at the penalty spot, missed the target (47’). Kembo wouldn’t: fouled 25 metres away from the goal, the forward made justice for himself by scoring a direct free-kick, once again (1-0, 53’), two months after managing the same against Lorient. Masked, Carrasso remained motionless on his goal-line and could do little but pick the ball from the back of his net.
Pajot close to the KO
And the Bordeaux goalkeeper was nearly surprised on another set-piece, needing two attempts in order to block a free-kick by Brahimi (61’). Aggressive on the ball, the Rennais dominated in the one-on-ones and were logically taking the upper hand on Bordeaux, struggling to create any chances. Stade Rennes was even mightily close to achieving the break when Pajot, alone in front of an empty goal, couldn’t get his header on target after a good cross by Pitroipa (85’). The Burkinabe had followed on a ball spilled by Carrasso after the goalkeeper won his duel with Kana-Biyik.
The end of the game was nervous for Rennes, but victory was at the final whistle. On the verge of crisis, Rennes win three points who allow them to make for a better total than last year at the same time (32 points against 31). Three points which will allow the Bretons to go in holidays with more serenities. Even though the winter transfer market should be quite active, regardless.
Match Facts
STADE RENNAIS FC 1 - 0 GIRONDINS BORDEAUX (half-time : 0-0)
Ligue 1, Game Week 19
Wednesday, December 21st 2011, 19:00
Stade de la Route de Lorient
Attendance : 20 045 spectators
Referee : Sébastien Desiage
Goal : Kembo (53’) for Rennes.
Yellow Cards : Brahimi (70’), Montaño (81’) for Rennes. Henrique (53’) for Bordeaux.
- Stade Rennais FC : Costil - Théophile-Catherine, Kana-Biyik, Boye, Mavinga - M’Vila, Pajot, Doumbia (Brahimi, 46’) - Kembo (Mangane, 68’), Montaño (Boukari, 84’), Pitroipa.
Manager : Frédéric Antonetti.
- Girondins Bordeaux : Carrasso - Sané, Henrique, Planus, Trémoulinas - Ben Khalfallah (Diabaté, 63’), Sertic, Plasil, Maurice-Belay - Gouffran (Jussiê, 83’), Bellion (Modeste, 63’).
Manager : Francis Gillot.