Stade Rennais – Lens: Rennes concedes a frustrating draw on the wire
For the 5th day of Ligue 1, Rennes hosted Lens at Roazhon Park and won solidly.
Rennes 1-1 Lens
Kalimuendo sur penalty
We take the same and we start again! Against Lens, Rennes wanted to confirm its rebound from last week against Montpellier. Julien Stéphan brought back the same eleven as seen against Montpellier. Struggling with positioning, Rennes conceded a goal which was ultimately disallowed for an offside by Labeau-Lascary (5th).
Rough, Rennes finally came out of their camp to strike a first time on goal by Blas (13th), ball easily caught by Samba. A nice action offered Blas another opportunity but Medina came back well (14th). Kalimuendo was not far from being lucky with a crushed shot deflected by Khusanov which grazed Samba’s post (18th). On a corner, Gronbaek taking advantage of an incursion by Blas tried his luck from close range, ball pushed back by Samba (20th)! Another worked corner gave a ball in the surface on which Santamaria and Khusanov threw themselves. The Lens player wanting to clear hit the foot of the Rennais, penalty! Shooter this season, Kalimuendo took charge and took Samba on the wrong foot, 1-0!
Better in the match, more consistent, Rennes continued to play their direct game, favoring long balls. Hateboer did not frame his shot (35th), and Kalimuendo missed his header (38th) on a good cross from Hateboer. Rennes returned to the locker room leading the score.
Under control
At the start of the second half, Lens attacked but Mandanda kept watch over a header from Labeau-Lascary (46th). Rennes came out well, and on a cross from Hateboer, Truffert and Blas got in each other’s way, missing a great opportunity (49th). Lens made two more changes, but still couldn’t worry a well-placed Rennes block. Diouf made a great breakthrough and served Nzola who saw his shot pushed back by Matusiwa. Gradit from afar didn’t get his attempt on target (64th) and Rennes stayed in front.
On a beautiful move, Gronbaek struck from afar and forced Samba to save (65th), then Nzola was very close to beating Mandanda but his header went just wide (69th)! On a free kick, Fulgini hit the wall (73rd). Rennes remained under control and managed well, minimizing the risks without creating any opportunities either, except for a beautiful counter led by Gouiri and concluded by a strike in Samba’s gloves (90th).
But in the last minute, on a ball put into the box by Medina, Mandanda poorly pushed back a ball to Nzola who saw his shot deflected by Wooh into the goal. 1-1 at the last second, after a consultation of the VAR by the referee of the match. A scuffle even delayed the end of the match.
On the wire, while holding the match, SRFC conceded a draw against Lens, an opponent against whom Rennes has still not won in 9 matches now.
MATCH SHEET
STADE RENNAIS FC 1-1 RC LENS
Ligue 1- J5
Saturday September 21, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Rennes Park
28,387 spectators including 1,331 visitors
Referee: Jérémy Stinat
Goals : Kalilmuendo (24th, sp), Nzola (90+5th)
Warnings : Blas (45th), Medina (70th), Ojediran (76th), Hateboer (90+5th)
Rennes : Mandanda – Hateboer, Wooh, Seidu (90+3rd, Ostigard) – Assignon, Matusiwa, Santamaria, Truffert – Gronbaek (65th, Gouiri), Blas (81st, James), Kalimuendo (65th, Meister)
Coach : Julien Stephan.
Lens : Samba – Gradit, Khusanov, Medina – Frankowski, Diouf, Thomasson (55e, Nzola), Chavez (79e, Machado) – Zaroury (65e, Fulgini), Sotoca (45e, Ojediran), Labeau-Lascary (55e, Said)
Coach : Will Still.
