Toulouse progressed to the next round of the Coupe de la Ligue after dismantling 10 men Rennes at Roazhon Park.

On the score sheet for the visitors were Adrien Regattin and Wissam Ben Yedder. The former notched two goals in the first half, while Regattin's proved more crucial as it removed any hope of a Rennes comeback following a second half penalty, scored by Fallou Diagne.

Both teams changed their starting sides drastically going into the cup tie. Rennes number one, Benoit Costil, was omitted from the squad and Diagne took the place of Mexer at centre-back. Whereas at Toulouse, the only man who played the full 90 minutes in the last match, Uros Spajic, was included in the team sheet from the beginning. 

Toulouse's dominance prevailed in the first half

The visiting Toulouse side, battling relegation in Ligue 1, surprisingly started the brightest of the two teams. Their ever present attacker, Regattin, was the most prevalent man on the field from the off, having two efforts narrowly avoid the target. 

It would be Le Téfécé who would be rewarded with their early dominance by going ahead on 13 minutes. The familiar name of Ben Yedder was back on the scoreboard when he converted his first of the match to put his side in front. Following a threaded ball into the box, the striker steadied himself and pulled off a low shot which went through the legs of 'keeper, Abdoulaye Diallo

The early goal was the least of Rennes' worries when only a few minutes later Yacouba Sylla received his marching orders from the referee following a late foul on Regattin. Those of a Rennes position would argue that the challenge was not a goal scoring opportunity, however the attacker was pulling away and Sylla was the last line of defence.

Rennes looked to be more fired up and pushed to get the game back to a level footing. They were picked off at the back any time they tried to push players forward due to having a man less. Regattin and Ben Yedder saw another couple of guilt-edged chances go a begging. 

Toulouse did eventually double their lead on 32 minutes, with Ben Yedder also increasing his tally in the match. After a thrilling passing move, Steeve Yago fed the ball to his striker deep inside the box who then made easy work with the ball to notch his second.

There seemed to be no reply to whatever Toulouse threw at the down and out Bretons. The teams exited the field on the half-time whistle to a chorus of boos and calls for Philippe Montanier to be sacked. 

Rennes positivity dealt a late blow at the end

The cup dream for the home team was fading away quickly. The finalists of a couple of years ago were facing the exit door, an attractive attacking display was required. Fortunately, they delivered, tipping the game on its head. 

Abdoulaye Doucoure and Pedro Henrique looked the most likely to score in the opening proceedings to the second half, but couldn't find the correct passage to beat Ali Ahamada. It would be on-loan Chelsea winger, Jeremie Boga, who would install new hope to the Rennes faithful when his tumble inside the box was deemed a penalty.

The unlikely source of centre-back, Diagne, stepped up and calmly placed the ball to the left of Ahamada who guessed the wrong way. The Toulouse keeper has a good penalty saving record, and up against a defender, the outcome was unpredictable. Nevertheless, the goal sparked a new lease of life into the support and players.

Once again it was Doucoure who saw another one of his efforts avoid the target while Kamil Grosicki couldn't get a strong leg behind a cross into the box to turn a cross goalwards. Toulouse goal hero, Ben Yedder, was replaced by Aleksandar Pesic, a shot in the arm for Rennes.  

The momentum to find the all important equalizer meant that Les Rouges et Noirs went all out to find it. The momentum was with them until a painful injury to Pedro Mendes stopped the game for several minutes. After the restart the same drive and determination seemed to have passed the home side by. 

Regattin couldn't direct his shot from the edge of the box on target. However, with his next attempt, he would find the third Toulouse goal. Taking full advantage of the high defensive line, Pesic was allowed time and space down the right to find his attacking partner. He peeled off Steven Moreira at the back post to score from inside the six yard box. 

Another home game without a win for Rennes just adds the pressure on Montanier. Having only won two home games this season, a defeat to Guingamp at the weekend may signal the end of the manager's tenure. While at Toulouse, it seems that their season is kickstarting, progressing in the cup and steadily picking up results in the league. TFC are blending more youth into the squad, as well as keeping the best of what they have to create a mix not to be counted out in Ligue 1. 

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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]