Stade Rennais FC won their first game of Julien Stéphan’s second spell in charge on Sunday, beating Stade de Reims 3-1 at Roazhon Park. There were also victories for Brest and FC Metz.
Stade Rennais FC 3-1 Stade de Reims
THE MATCH
This was the start of a new era for Rennes, following the departure during the recent international break of coach Bruno Genesio and the return of Stéphan to the Brittany club’s dugout. Rennes were aiming to end a run of five Ligue 1 Uber Eats matches without a victory and they got off to a dream start, taking the lead inside four minutes when Amine Gouiri tucked in from close range after the away defence failed to clear a corner.
Reims, who had been beaten 3-0 at home by Paris Saint-Germain in their last outing before the recent break, got back on level terms in first-half stoppage time as Oumar Diakité headed in a Junya Ito cross, with the goal ultimately being confirmed after a VAR check showed there was no offside (45+2’).
Yet Rennes came out firing after the restart and were back in front just 17 seconds into the second half as Benjamin Bourigeaud fired in. And they made it 3-1 midway through the second half as Belgian defender Arthur Theate headed in, giving Rennes just their third league win of the campaign.
THE PLAYER: Amine Gouiri
Gouiri got the second Julien Stéphan era off to the best possible start with his early goal. It was just a fourth goal in all competitions this season for the new Algerian international. If Stéphan can get the former OGC Nice man really firing, that will help Rennes climb back up the table.
THE STAT: 3
Three goals for three points for Rennes as they claim just their third league win of the season. Next up is a clash with Maccabi Haifa in the UEFA Europa League in Budapest.
Elsewhere, Stade Brestois 29 bounced back from a run of three straight defeats to win 3-1 away to Montpellier Hérault SC at the Stade de la Mosson. Brest took the lead in the 20th minute courtesy of an own goal by the unfortunate Maxime Estève, but Montpellier did draw level six minutes after the break when Téji Savanier converted a penalty awarded for a foul on Mousa Al-Tamari. However, the visitors went back in front through Mathias Pereira Lage (64’) and wrapped up the points in stoppage time as Kamory Doumbia made it 3-1. Brest are just outside the European places but Montpellier are just above the relegation zone before their game in hand at home to Clermont in midweek.
Le Havre AC are unbeaten in five games but the newly-promoted side played out their fourth 0-0 draw in that time as they took a point from their trip to face FC Nantes at the Stade de la Beaujoire. The game was most notable for the second-half sending-off of André Ayew, just two minutes and 24 seconds after he had come on for his Le Havre debut, one of the fastest recorded dismissals ever in Ligue 1. Nantes created almost all the chances but could not get a goal, even if they stop the rot after suffering three straight defeats.
FC Lorient remain in the relegation play-off place after a 3-2 defeat at home to FC Metz at the Stade du Moustoir. Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly gave Metz a first-minute lead but a superb Romain Faivre goal brought Lorient back level on seven minutes and Eli Junior Kroupi gave the hosts the lead midway through the first half. However, veteran defender Ismaël Traoré made it 2-2 (65’) before Metz grabbed all three points when Ablie Jallow converted a penalty seven minutes from time. A second straight win leaves Metz in mid-table.
