Rennes, without a doubt
Ligue 1, Stade Rennais 2 - 0 Lorient. At the term of a perfectly controlled game, Rennes returned to winning ways in its stadium. Never really put under pressure, applying a good pressing at midfield, Antonetti’s men managed to score this second goal they had missed so many times at the Route de Lorient in the recent weeks.
Rennes started the game well. The Rennais were in control of the ball and opened the score early in the first half, through a direct free-kick by Kembo superbly slotted in the top right corner of Fabien Audard’s goal (1-0, 10’). Kembo, again, forced the Lorient goalkeeper to a save on a second free-kick a few minutes later (17’)
Antonetti’s men had dominated the first 25 minutes of the game, in which they weren’t threatened, and were now temporising. Rennes played lower on the pitch and Lorient was on the way up, as illustrated by a shot from Sunu pushed away by Costil (37’). At half time, the Lorientais had created little dangerous opportunities. Against us, Stade Rennes managed a good first half in terms of creation and animation.
Rennes managed to double its lead
Back from the dressing room, Lorient took control of the operation. The Rennais couldn’t replicate the rhythm they had set at the beginning of the game. But as opposed to their previous home games, the “Rouge et Noir” succeeded in killing the game by scoring this second goal they have been unable to score since a few games. At the 61st minute, Kembo – the indisputable man of the match – was brought down by Le Lan in Lorient’s 18-yard box. The referee awarded Rennes a penalty, taken and converted by Pitroipa (2-0, 63’). After three consecutive 1-1 draws at home after opening the score, Rennes had finally managed to double its lead.
The Rennais wouldn’t throw any of this advantage away. At the 70th minute, Aliadière escape Mandjeck’s attention and came to face Costil, but his effort was off target. Rennes wouldn’t extend their lead any further either: Pajot, on a service from Pitroipa, saw his header cleared of the goal-line by a Lorient defender (83’). At the term of a game well controlled thanks to a good pressing and efficient ball recovery, the Stade Rennais has done the job: a hoe victory, the first since August 28th.
Match Facts
STADE RENNAIS FC 2 - 0 FC LORIENT (half time : 1-0)
Ligue 1, Game Week 10
Sunday, October 16th 2011, 21:00
Stade de la Route de Lorient
Attendance : 18 502 spectators
Referee : Fredy Fautrel
Goals : Kembo (10’), Pitroipa (63’ pen.) for Rennes.
Yellow Cards : Mangane (26’) for Rennes. Aliadière (34’), Le Lan (61’) for Lorient.
- Stade Rennais FC : Costil - Danzé, Mangane (cap), Mandjeck, Théophile-Catherine - M’Vila (Tettey, 72’), Doumbia, Pajot - Kembo (Brahimi, 77’), Montaño, Pitroipa.
Manager : Frédéric Antonetti.
- FC Lorient : Audard (cap) - Baca, Bourillon, Ecuele Manga, Le Lan - Sunu (Autret, 60’), Coutadeur, Mvuemba, Monnet-Paquet (Emeghara, 64’) - Aliadière (Mareque, 74’), Campbell.
Manager : Christian Gourcuff.