RENNES’ EUROPEAN HOPES DENTED AS THEY LOSE TO CANARIES- NANTES 2-1 RENNES.
FC Nantes registered their first victory over Stade Rennais since September 2019, after a hard-fought 2-1 victory at the Stade de la Beaujoire.
In an end-to-end opening to the 87th Derby Breton between two sides aiming for European football next season, Antoine Kombouaré would have been pleased with his side’s efforts, after making six alterations to his starting XI that lifted the Coupe de France over the weekend.
Rennes were deservedly ahead on the half-hour mark when Flavien Tait clinically swept home Benjamin Bourigeaud’s exquisite pull-back. Looking to extend their advantage further, the visitors were fractions away from doubling their lead, when Bourigeaud’s in-swinging free-kick struck the outside of the post. However, ‘Les Canaris’ were level on the stroke of HT when Kalifa Coulibaly arrived at the back post to bundle Osman Bukari’s pinpoint pass across goal past Alfred Gomis.
The visitors should have restored their lead in the opening minutes of the second half when Tait dragged his shot wide of Gomis’ right-hand post. Bruno Génésio would have been left wondering what it would take for his side to elevate themselves back into the ascendancy when another gilt-edged chance went begging, as Gaetan Laborde somehow failed to score with the goal at his mercy. Rennes were left rueing their earlier opportunities when Nicolas Pallois unleashed a venomous volley underneath Gomis in the 71st minute for his first league goal of the season.
Nantes valiantly kept their composure throughout the remainder of the contest to register only their second victory in their last 23 top-flight encounters against Rennes. Meanwhile, defeat left Bruno Génésio’s side three points behind AS Monaco, who occupy the final UEFA Champions League qualification position with two matches left to play of the season.
