Stade Rennais FC 1-2 Angers SCO

THE MATCH

This was an awkward assignment for Rennes, coming three days after their draw with Krasnodar on their UEFA Champions League debut and with another European fixture away at Sevilla to come next Tuesday.

Rennes coach Julien Stéphan made five changes to his team from midweek, with Adrien Hunou, Adrien Truffert, Flavien Tait, Yann Gboho and Jérémy Doku all coming in, the latter getting his first start since a €26 million move from Anderlecht.

And it was the home side who went in front at Roazhon Park in the 17th minute, Hunou converting the loose ball after Angers goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni had saved from Tait. However, the visitors drew level soon after when Stéphane Bahoken set up Boufal, who recently returned to Angers, to score with a deflected shot (26’).

Angers could even have gone in at half-time with the lead had Bahoken not been denied by Alfred Gomis when clean through, but they did go in front early in the second half as Angelo Fulgini took advantage of a misunderstanding between Gomis and Damien Da Silva to find the net (56’).

Stéphan responded by sending on Martin Terrier and Serhou Guirassy but his side could not find an equaliser as their run of 10 Ligue 1 games without defeat came to a screeching halt.

THE PLAYER: Sofiane Boufal

Boufal’s goal that got Angers back on level terms was his first since returning to his first club just before the transfer deadline earlier this month. The Moroccan international rejoined the SCO from Southampton on a deal to 2024 and had made his second debut in the black and white last weekend against FC Metz. He could be a huge asset for Stéphane Moulin’s side this season.

THE STAT: 10

Rennes’ 10-game unbeaten run in the league comes to an end as Angers end a run of 10 top-flight matches without a win against the Bretons. This was their first victory over Rennes in the elite since December 1976.