Rennes remain in the hunt to qualify for European football next season after Martin Terrier's superb second-half goal gave them a 1-0 derby win at Nantes on Sunday.
THE MATCH
With his team second-from-bottom of the table, Nantes coach Antoine Kombouaré had admitted he would settle for a point and a clean sheet in this all-Breton encounter at the Stade de la Beaujoire.
Nantes might have had at least that and perhaps even better but for Alfred Gomis in the visitors' goal. The Senegal international denied Ludovic Blas (27') and Randal Kolo Muani with seconds left in the game (90+2') with the hosts' two genuine goalscoring opportunities of the game.
Rennes, who have now lost just one and won three of their league matches under new coach Bruno Genesio, struggled to make inroads in the first half, but saw Terrier make the breakthrough in real style shortly after the interval.
The former Lyon man started the move that saw Serhou Guirassy charge forward. He teed up Flavien Tait, and when his shot was charged down, Terrier picked up the loose ball before curling his sixth league goal of the season beyond Alban Lafont and into the far top corner (52').
Adrien Hunou, who replaced Terrier for the final nine minutes, almost embellished his justified reputation as an impact player when he produced a similar effort to Terrier late on. Lafont this time anticipated and pushed the shot out; following up, Benjamin Bourigeaud could not get his effort on target (88').
Rennes are now seventh and within touching distance of fifth place while Nantes, who have a club low 28 points at this stage of the season, are now in significant danger in the race to preserve their top-flight status.
THE PLAYER: Martin Terrier
The former France U21 international has been in a rich vein of form of late, and scored his second goal in his last three games to secure a valuable three points for his team. More will be required of his undoubted talent if Rennes are to feature in continental competition next season.
THE STAT: 8
Terrier has been involved in eight of Rennes' 14 league goals since the turn of the year, scoring four of them.
