Second-half strikes from Wissam Ben Yedder and Myron Boadu handed Monaco a 3-2 win at Rennes on Friday, to blow the race for Champions League qualification wide open.
THE MATCH
Monaco kicked-off Round 32 of Ligue 1 Uber Eats six-points adrift of Rennes but knowing a win at Roazhon Park would shake up the battle for Champions League qualification. On the other hand, Rennes were looking for three points to provisionally leapfrog Marseille into second place ahead of OM's tricky-looking trip to Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday evening.
It was the thunderous start to the game everyone hoped for with both sides showing early intent. Aleksandr Golovin squandered an early opportunity for the visitors, dragging his effort wide from close range when he should have found the target (2').
But Rennes quickly showed why they have been so prolific this season and punished the profligacy of Philippe Clément's men, with their first attempt on goal.
Quick fire
An inviting cross from Rennes captain Hamari Traoré found the unmarked Flavien Tait who brilliantly guided his header beyond Alexander Nubel, to put the Breton outfit in front (3')
The goal did not deter the visitors and they got themselves level-pegging in fine style nine-minutes later when Golovin played a delicious cross-field pass to the onrushing Vanderson, who buried his first-time effort into the bottom corner from 15 yards (13').
The game pitted two of the league's leading goalscorers in Rennes' Martin Terrier and Monaco's Wissam Ben Yedder. Both players had 18 goals to their name and whilst Ben Yedder was provided with a couple of half chances, Terrier looked a little more off the pace and unlikely to add to his total in the chase to overhaul Kylian Mbappé's leading tally of 20.
A frantic opening eventually simmered with both teams enjoying periods of possession, slick passing and movement but unable to unlock two compact defences.
It was more of the same in the opening exchanges of the second period with a chess match feel to proceedings but Monaco soon found their groove and punished the hosts just before the hour mark.
Comeback complete
Hesitancy in the Rennes backline proved costly when Kevin Volland's smart header played in the advancing Ben Yedder and the 33-year-old made no mistake, firing low past Dogan Alemdar to complete the turnaround (58').
Volland was at it again five minutes later, threading a superb through ball to Golovin who once again missed the target with just Alemdar to beat.
Serhou Guirassy was guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance for Rennes to level the scoring, firing a rebound over the bar after Nubel had parried Jonas Martin's stinger from 20 yards (72').
But Monaco were in no mood to let the hosts off the hook for their wastefulness and substitute Myron Boadu tapped home from five yards following good work from Aurelién Tchouameni and Vanderson (77').
Terrier eventually found his 19th goal of the season, pulling one back for Rennes late on from the penalty spot (90') after Sofiane Diop clipped Rennes defender Adrien Truffert. But there was no time for Rennes to find an equaliser as the principality side provisionally climbed into fourth position, three points behind Rennes and six adrift of Marseille.
THE PLAYER: Kevin Volland
A delightful performance from the classy German forward who was at the heart of Monaco's key moments. It has been a frustrating time for Volland so far under Philippe Clément but last weekend's goal against Troyes shortly after coming on as a substitute, seems to have buoyed the former Bayer Leverkusen man, who could be key in the final six games of the season.
THE STAT: 9
Rennes captain Hamari Traoré became the second defender to reach nine Ligue 1 Uber Eats assists this season after his pinpoint cross for Flavien Tait's opener. Lens' Jonathan Clauss was the first defender to reach that tally this term.
