Lovro Majer scored both goals as Stade Rennais FC beat struggling AS Saint-Etienne 2-0 on Saturday to maintain their grip on third place in the Ligue 1 Uber Eats table.
Stade Rennais FC 2-0 AS Saint-Etienne
THE MATCH
Rennes needed a victory at Roazhon Park with AS Monaco breathing down their necks in the race for a top-three finish and UEFA Champions League qualification, and a clutch of other rivals still in contention too.
Bruno Genesio’s side have scored more goals than any other team at home this season and they had enough quality to get the better of a Saint-Etienne side scrapping to pull away from the relegation zone. Croatian international Majer made the difference, opening the scoring four minutes before half-time and then securing the points late on.
The deadlock was broken when Martin Terrier knocked the ball into the path of Majer just insde the area and the former Dinamo Zagreb player controlled the ball on his chest before firing low into the net.
The points were then sealed with six minutes left when Eliaquim Mangala, in trying to intercept a ball into the Saint-Etienne box, only succeeded in teeing up Majer for an easy finish to make it 2-0.
A second straight home win means Rennes are three points clear of Monaco before the principality side play on Sunday, although the Brittany outfit’s far superior goal difference will ensure they remain in third at the end of the weekend. Saint-Etienne, meanwhile, remain in the relegation play-off place, two points from outright safety before their rivals play on Sunday.
THE PLAYER: Lovro Majer
The 24-year-old once again showed what a class act he is with a brace that lifted him onto five goals for the campaign in Ligue 1. He enjoys playing against Saint-Etienne, having laid on three assists in the 5-0 win away to Les Verts in the first half of the campaign.
THE STAT: 62
With 62 points on the board already Rennes have set a new club record points tally in a single season.
