Ligue 1: Rennes stalls at home against Strasbourg

After leading for almost 60 minutes, Rennes finally conceded a draw against Strasbourg (1-1) this Sunday for the 10th day of Ligue 1. Truffert had first found the fault (22nd) before Mothiba, for Strasbourg, does not tie the two teams (81st).

In search of a victory to relaunch themselves in this homogeneous championship, Bretons and Alsatians showed good intentions from the kick-off despite a technical failure in the last gesture. Blas (3rd, 9th) and Kalimuendo (7th) tried their luck timidly while, on the other side, Emegha's header forced Mandanda to save (8th). In a crisis of results (three defeats in a row), Racing showed itself to be enterprising offensively even if Rennes retained overall control. After several unsuccessful forays (Bourigeaud 16th, Kalimuendo 19th), the Rouge et Noir found the opening with their first shot on target signed Truffert, author of a beautiful half-volley with his wrong foot, the right, on a deflected cross d’Assignon (1-0, 23rd). Reassured by this goal, Bruno Genesio's players were then content to control the meager Strasbourg accelerations led by the fast Bakwa. Taking advantage of a space, Gouiri missed the 2-0 (40th) which would have been a dear price for the visitors at the break.

At the start of the second half, Patrick Vieira's men missed the equalizer with Delaine (46th), before a long offensive black hole of half an hour. Without inspiration, Strasbourg left the initiative to his opponent, who was also too messy in the zone of truth. There was always a foot or a head, like that of Perrin in front of Gouiri (60th), to deflect Rennes' strikes. Sels was called upon for a free kick from Bourigeaud (63rd), leaving his team in the game until the final quarter of an hour approached. Winner of Panathinaikos on Thursday in the Europa League, Stade Rennais suddenly slowed down, giving hope to Racing who were able to count on the good entries of attackers Gameiro and Mothiba. The first triggered a sudden strike victoriously resumed by the second, on the lookout for the ball poorly repelled by Mandanda (1-1, 73rd). In a hurry, Rennes then rushed to attack but neither Terrier nor Salah were able to put a smile back on the face of Roazhon Park, who were unhappy at the end of the match. Ahead and in control, Rennes, 8th before OM-OL this evening, let another two points slip away by conceding their sixth draw in ten days. Strasbourg moved up to 14th place and stopped its series of defeats by snatching a positive result away from home.