Stade Rennais FC pulled up to second overnight in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, Martin Terrier and Lovro Majer getting their goals in a 2-0 win over 10-man Montpellier Hérault SC at Roazhon Park.
Stade Rennais FC 2-0 Montpellier Hérault SC
THE MATCH
Rennes welcomed Montpellier to Brittany in fifth, just one place and three points better off than their visitors, but things looked significantly less close between the sides once the action was underway. Captain Hamari Traoré roared up the right wing and put in a first-time cross for Terrier and the former Olympique Lyonnais man sent a bullet header into the top corner for 1-0 (8'). The hosts bossed possession and pulled further clear when Lovro Majer - so impressive against Lyon before the international break - bagged his first Ligue 1 Uber Eats goal from close range after former Montpellier striker Gaëtan Laborde had headed Flavien Tait's cross back across goal (28'). A difficult first half reached its nadir for Montpellier a few minutes before the interval when their captain, Téji Savanier, was given his marching orders by referee Mikaël Lesage for a second bookable offence on Jonas Martin (41').
Rennes run out victorious
Rennes should have pulled further clear soon after the restart after a bout of risky passing at the back from Montpellier goalkeeper Jonas Omlin, but the Swiss shot-stopper did enough to keep Majer out at close range before Benjamin Bourigeaud hit the post on the rebound (53'). Majer then let rip from outside the box, forcing a good save from Omlin before Laborde fired what should have been the second goal of the game over the crossbar (60'). Montpellier weren't without their chances, Stephy Mavidi having the best of those when he got good power on a shot despite losing his balance, but Omlin's opposite number Alfred Gomis made an acrobatic save (63'). Béni Makouana drew a save from Gomis on the turn before the offside flag went up against him (78') and Rennes held on. A late Laborde overhead kick stayed out (87') and it ended 2-0.
THE PLAYER: Lovro Majer
This was another superlative display from Majer following his impressive first start in the league, against OL, last time out. The Croatian scored twice for his nation over the international break and looks more and more like Luka Modric with every passing game. Rennes have themselves a real gem here.
THE STAT: 7
Rennes are undefeated in their last five home matches in Ligue 1 Uber Eats and their last seven against Montpellier in all competitions. The last time La Paillade got the better of the Bretons away from home was back in December 2014 when they ran out 4-0 winners at the then-called Stade de la Route de Lorient.
