Ligue 1 McDonald’s, 15/12/24, Spherical 15
Objectives from Albert Grønbæk and Lorenz Assignon proved sufficient for the guests to bounce again for his or her closing Ligue 1 recreation of the yr. Rennes climbed as much as twelfth place whereas Angers remained within the deep finish of the standings in Fifteenth place, having misplaced 4 of their final 5 video games.
The Match
After dropping final week’s Brittany Derby towards bitter rivals Nantes within the dying minutes, Rennes hosted Fifteenth-placed Angers SCO for his or her closing Ligue 1 recreation of the yr. Argentine supervisor Jorge Sampaoli needed to watch as we speak’s outing from the higher TV pen after he obtained a purple card within the aftermath of Rennes’ disallowed injury-time equalizer at La Beaujoire. His trusted deputy Diogo Meschine took his place within the dugout.
Wales worldwide Jordan James, who began his third Ligue 1 on the bounce, went simply extensive within the opening minutes with a curling effort from exterior the field earlier than Rennes had been pressured into an early change with the injured Amine Gouiri making manner for Albert Grønbæk. The sport’s tempo dramatically slowed down because the hosts made little or no effort to carve via the guests. The latter had been all too wasteful to interrupt open Rennes’ again three.
The hosts finally broke the impasse after the half-hour mark. Proper-sided wingback Lorenz Assignon carried the ball ahead to search out Ludovic Blas. The playmaker threaded a fragile left-footed cross for the unmarked Grønbæk to go residence on the far publish. All in all, it was a deserved lead for the hosts, given how poor Angers have been.
Within the second half, Rennes stored management of proceedings, however their poor decision-making within the closing third meant that they remained inside Angers’ vary. And in such a low-quality recreation, attended by 27.781 spectators, the Anjou aspect lastly rebelled to set a late onslaught on Steve Mandanda’s aim. The previous France worldwide remained watchful to thwart an inswinging free-kick from Zinedine Ferhat.
Given their willingness to go ahead to seize an equalizer, Angers had been susceptible on the again, proving the makers of their very own misfortune. Himad Abdelli misplaced the ball upfield all by himself. Lorenz Assignon picked his pocket to double his aspect’s lead, his left-footed shot having taken a heavy deflection on its manner in. It actually wasn’t a recreation to recollect, however the hosts bought what they got here for.
Rennes participant scores
Steve Mandanda – 5
Hans Hateboer – 6
Leo Ostigard – 5
Mohamadou Nagida – 5
Lorenz Assignon – 6
Jordan James – 5
Azor Matusiwa – 5
Adrien Truffert – 5
Ludovic Blas – 6
The playmaker seems to be like a participant reborn after his disappointing debut season at Roazhon Park. The previous Nantes talisman is more and more taking the lead up entrance and prospers as a right-sided attacking midfielder. As demonstrated by his left-footed cross in the direction of Grønbæk’s header, Blas has upped his numbers in aim contributions this marketing campaign. Changed by Jota.
Amine Gouiri – N/A
His recreation ended prematurely after colliding with Fofana when making an attempt to deflect Assignon’s cross. The Algeria worldwide thought he might proceed however he had no alternative however to throw within the towel within the 14th minute. His substitute, Albert Grønbæk, broke the impasse with a superb header at Fofana’s close to publish.
Arnaud Kalimuendo – 4
Chosen Angers participant scores
Himad Abdelli – 4
Lilian Raolisoa – 3
Ibrahima Niane – 3
GFFN | Bastien Cheval reporting from Rennes’ Roazhon Park