Jeremy Doku and Arnaud Kalimuendo both got on the scoresheet as Rennes scored four times in the second half to trounce Metz 5-1 in their opening Ligue 1 Uber Eats game of the season on Sunday. Wissam ben Yedder found the net twice in Monaco's win at Clermont, Samuel Grandsir scored a late equaliser as newly promoted Le Havre drew at Montpellier, and Toulouse triumphed at Nantes.
THE MATCH
Metz were back in the top flight after a single-season absence, but they found that Rennes have certainly moved on since the last time they met. Fourth last season, the Bretons - under the watchful eye of multi-billionaire owner François Pinault - showed they will be an even more formidable prospect this time round.
One new arrival, ex-Nantes man Ludovic Blas, was suspended for the game, but Enzo Le Fée - picked up from Lorient - started, and Amine Gouiri and Doku both tested Alexandre Oukidja before Kalimuendo followed up a Baptiste Santamaria shot that had been parried by the Metz goalkeeper to open the scoring (20').
But a packed Roazhon Park crowd barely had time to celebrate before Metz levelled. Georges Mikautadze had been tipped to leave the Lorraine outfit this summer - he may still do, but he showed he will be missed after sending over a backpost cross that was headed home by Youssef Maziz (21').
The equaliser quietened Rennes, but they came out loud and proud after the half-time break to tear the game away from Metz. Seven minutes into the second half, Gouiri snapped up the chance to restore Rennes' lead after Benjamin Bourigeaud had miscued a shot (52') before Doku gave them breathing space following up a Gouiri effort parried by Oukidja (67').
Rennes had already racked up 23 goal attempts - ten of which were on target - before a Lorenz Assignon cross was touched by Oukidja into the path of Ibrahim Salah to score his first Ligue 1 Uber Eats goal (87'), and he had his second in added time (90+4') from yet another rebound as Rennes signed a major statement of intent.
THE PLAYER: Jeremy Doku
The Belgium international was unplayable for the Metz defence as he scored once, had two key passes and was successful with all nine dribbles he attempted. In this sort of form - and if he can stay free of injury - he'll be one of the league's stand-out performers this season.
THE STAT: 4 & 2
Ibrahim Salah had four touches, and scored twice.
Last season's Ligue 2 BKT champions Le Havre picked up a point on their travels as they played their first top-flight match since 2009. Gautier Lloris' first-ever Ligue 1 Uber Eats goal gave them an early lead at Montpellier (6'), but Nigerian Akor Adams on his debut in France scored twice in the space of three minutes (58', 60') to put the hosts in front. Benjamin Lecomte looked to have earned Montpellier all three points with a superb late save (90') but Grandsir struck in added time to get Luka Elsner's men off the mark in the table.
Monaco found themselves behind just seven minutes in at Clermont through a Mateusz Wietska header (7'), but Vanderson (26') and Ben Yedder (43') put the visitors ahead by the break. Muhammed Cham (53') pulled the hosts level, but Ben Yedder (70') and Maghnes Akliouche (90+3') earned Adi Hütter a first league point in his competitive debut as Monaco boss.
In a replay of last season's Coupe de France final, Toulouse again got the better of Nantes despite Mustapha Mohamed putting the hosts ahead with a 13th-minute penalty. The lead lasted until just after the hour mark when Zakaria Aboukhlal (62') levelled, and Rasmus Nicolaisen snatched all three points for Toulouse in added time (90+1').
