AS Monaco failed in their attempt to go second place in Ligue 1 as they allowed Stade Rennais to snatch a draw at Roazhon Park.
Leonardo Jardim's side opened the scoring on 14 minutes through Helder Costa but, despite their dominance, couldn't capitalize on their majority of chances. They were ultimately punished on 80 minutes when Giovanni Sio bundled in the equalizer.
The visitors were without a recognized left-back so Andrea Raggi had to step in for cover. Rolland Courbis shuffled his midfield by sitting Yacouba Sylla in front of his unchanged back four to make up for the injury to Yoann Gourcuff.
Monaco dominate but don't make it pay
Although Monaco had the lion's share of possession, it was Rennes who had the first chances in the opening proceedings. Kamil Grosicki's cross was almost turned in at the back post and Ousmane Dembele forced Daniel Subasic to collect his threatening cross.
Fortunately for the southerners, they did go ahead with 14 minutes on the clock. A long throw in from the edge of the box was flicked on by Nabil Dirar to Costa who was waiting in acres of space to tap into the net from close range.
Rennes were unable to respond to the early goal and were restricted to half chances that Subasic was more than equal to.
Before half-time Monaco could have doubled their lead through Lacina Traore. The big striker produced a cheeky backheel which found its way through the legs of Rennes keeper Benoit Costil. Fortunately for the French international stopper, he managed to recover in quick time to stop the ball going in.
Rennes snatch the draw in a more equal second half
Costil was forced into action twice in quick succession from the restart of play. Costa almost got his second of the match when he stung the hands of Costil with a powerful drive. Then Costil had to act smartly to catch a dangerous Dirar cross aimed at the large frame of Traore.
At the other end, Costil's opposite number Subasic was also made to work properly for the first time in the match. A quick reaction save with a flailing left hand denied Wallace from scoring an own goal and Benjamin Andre made Subasic collect his header from inside the box.
Just 10 minutes from the regulatory 90 minutes, Rennes managed to find the all important equalizer. Substitute Jeremie Boga was tenacious at the edge of the box and smacked a shot on-target but, through a cluster of legs, Sio collected the ball and managed to scoop the it over Subasic to score.
Just after the match was restarted, Monaco could have regained their lead straight away. Traore found himself one-on-one with Costil but the out of sorts forward was denied by the outstretched foot of the keeper. Then, right at the last, Sylvain Armand stopped a Fabinho shot on the line to stop any late winner.
The draw suits the two sides' competitors more than themselves as Monaco didn't manage to go above Lyon and Rennes couldn't pip Lille to sixth. Les Rouges et Noirs have it tough next week as they play already crowned champs PSG while Monaco play another Brittany side Guingamp at home.