Despite being reduced to 10 men in the 60th minute, RC Lens achieved their 16th victory of the season to regain the lead in Ligue 1, with Odsonne Édouard, Ruben Aguilar and Allan Saint-Maximin responding to Esteban Lepaul’s first goal for Stade Rennais (3-1).
Advertisement
the party
Mired in a series of negative results, including a 3-0 defeat by Olympique de Marseille in the round of 32 of the Coupe de France, and shaken by internal turbulence, Rennes hoped to use their trip to Lens to restore calm in their ranks. But at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, in front of a Sang and Or team that sought to regain the leadership of the league, its mission was not easy at all.
Pressured from the first minutes of the game, the Bretons Initially they had to sit back and resist their opponents’ attacks. Before they could attack in their first real foray into the opposing camp. Perfectly prepared by Arnaud Nordin, Lepaul finished off a team move perfectly executed by Rennes, who took the lead against the run of play.
But in front of their fans, Lens were obviously not going to give up without a fight. And it was through Édouard, sent by Aguilar after the red and black defensive and more powerful than Alidu Seidu, who had entered a few minutes earlier to replace the injured Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, who Pierre Sage’s men managed to match.
Advertisement
After the break, Rennes started the second half better. But, as had happened before, it was Lens who scored against the run of play. Aguilar, who had provided the assist earlier, became the scorer this time, converting a precise pass from Florian Thauvin. Exciting game for the Lens right back, who seconds later was sent off for a second yellow card.
Reduced to ten men, them Sang and Or They were not as bewildered as Beye had expected. So much so that they even managed to score a third goal, thanks to Allan Saint-Maximim, who, in half an hour, justified the reasons that had led Jean-Louis Leca, their new sports director, to sign him.
Lens thus achieved its tenth consecutive home win and provisionally regained first place in the standings. For Rennes, which has lost three of its last four Ligue 1 games, the poor run continued, preventing it from reclaiming fifth place from Lille, which drew 0-0 at Metz earlier this weekend.
Also worth noting is the injury of Jérémy Jacquet, who suffered an injury to his left shoulder and had to leave his teammates 20 minutes before the end of the match.
Advertisement
Lens Player Ratings:
Robin Risser – 6
Ismaëlo Ganiou – 7
Samson Baidoo – 6
Malang Sarr – 7
Rubén Aguilar- 7
He had an eventful game, gave an assist, scored a goal and was sent off 30 minutes before the final whistle. His contribution was also significant as Lens pressed hard on the left side of the Rennes defence.
Mamadou Sangare – 7
Adrian Thomasson – 5
Matthieu Udol – 5
Florian Thauvin – 6
Wesley Said – 5
Odsonne Edouard – 7
Although he did not touch the ball twenty times, Édouard led the attack and scored the equalizer just before half-time. Also involved in the second goal, he stood out for his important play without the ball, putting pressure on the rival defense.
Advertisement
Rankings of selected Rennes players:
Mathys Silistrie – 3
Mathys Silistrie, starting in place of Brice Samba in his Ligue 1 debut, had a difficult afternoon. However, the interesting aspect of his footwork and his willingness to give instructions to his teammates will still be remembered.
Mousa Al-Tamari – 3
Arnaud Nordin – 5
Back in Ligue 1, Nordin provided a brilliant assist for Lepaul for the first goal. He was very influential in the first half, but faded a bit in the second.
GFFN | Leo Aschi