Toulouse picked up their first win on their travels, as Rennes struggle defensively once again in a heated game at the Route de Loreint.

The first half was a feisty affair with a lot of action and controversy from both sides. The early pressure from the kick off was with the visitors, Toulouse. The Viola actually found the net amidst this pressure, however the linesman had already raised his flag.

The first chance for the home side arisen not long after as a good bit of tikki-taka football from the Rennes players put Paul Georges Ntep through. With the pressure mounting from the Toulouse defence, Ntep was unable to score as his shot bounced off the goalkeeper.

The pressure on Rennes was becoming more evident as the first half went on- the defence were unable to clear their lines after a succession of attacks from Toulouse with Tisserand and Regattin looking to create opportunities.

The tables were turned though as it was Toulouse who were feeling the pressure, with a similar defensive error forcing a corner. Columbian international, Aguilar lunged in with a late challenge on Ntep, and his name was put in the book.

Diagne, who was filling in for Sylvain Armand at centre half almost put his team in front when he met a cross from just inside his team's half. The man signed from Freiburg in the summer met the ball and headered it down. Unfortunately, the direction was too close to the Toulouse goalkeeper, Boucher.

Tisserand surprised the entire stadium when he met a cross on the full volley- he was unfortunate to score as it was met with a sweet right foot- however the ball just missed the outside of the post. Ben Yedder had the first of many opportunities when his shot went wide of the mark.

Ex-Rennes player, Didot picked up an awful injury and the play stopped for a while, as this medical staff carried him off the ground in an unorthodox fashion. The full stadium sang his name and applauded the player who once wore the jersey of Stade Rennais Football Club. TV pictures later showed Didot in crutches, taking his place with the substitutes. Another ex-Rennes player, Doumbia took his place.

Konradsen and Ntep both tried efforts to gain the lead for Rennes but each were as unsuccessful. The deadlock was finally broken near the end of the first half through Aleksandar Pesic, as he scored his first goal of the Ligue 1 campaign- Sublime ball control by Regattin from a tricky pass from Akpa Akpro was enough to fool the Rennes defence; Pesic was spotted by Regattin and received the ball and with a thunderous shot; the ball flew past Benoit Costil who was helpless.

The second half began like the first half ended, with the home side on the back-foot. Ben Yedder could have doubled his side's lead from the off but his goal was called offside as a possible hand ball was spotted by the linesman. Replays suggest that the decision to call hand ball may have been the incorrect decision.

Rennes tried to get the important leveller to put the home side back in the game. Paul-Georges Ntep done well to run to the end of the line and drilled a low ball which failed to meet the intended target, Habibou and was diverted for a corner.

The second goal arrived in the form of ex-Rennes player Doumbia- who followed Romain Alessandrini- and scored the second goal for Toulouse. A long cross from Tisserand met the rising Doumbia who headed the ball to the far side of Costil's goal, once again he was helpless and the goal was helped as it bounced off Fallou Diagne who was standing on the line.

A glancing header from Ntep wasn't enough to get the all important goal that Rennes were crying out for. The heartache went on for the Breton side when Ben Yedder netted a goal that stood this time. Regattin had an easy run at the Rennes defence and gave the ball to Ben Yedder who turned, shot and scored in an easy motion.

Rennes responded well from going three goals down and with the introduction of Hosiner and Pedro Henrique, Rennes now tried to keep the score respectable. Henrique made an immediate impact and was the main focal point in attack for his side. More positive attacking olay came from Rennes before Toivonen and Moreira failed with their attempted chances to score.

As the game drew close to the end, both teams seemed somewhat content with the scoreline. Steven Moreira tried to score from distance and Konradsen had a volley go over the bar- which summed up the night for the home side. In the last four games, Rennes have conceded six goals and scored zero.

Rennes now travel to Bordeaux as Toulouse face the unbeaten champions, PSG.

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Connor Gordon
Hi, I am from Glasgow, Scotland and at university studying Multimedia Journalism. I have a fondness for French club, Stade Rennais. I try to convey the way I see the game of football into my articles. I hope you enjoy! Contact me on Twitter: @ConnorGordonnn Email: [email protected]