Rennes kicked off their Ligue 1 season with a comprehensive home win against promoted side FC Metz this Sunday. The hosts wasted no time in establishing dominance with a flurry of clear-cut chances from the get-go. Rennes’ free-flowing football was on show with Enzo Le Fée and Jérémy Doku both equally impressive – dictating play for the former, and carving open Metz’s defence with bursts of pace for the latter.
Rennes eventually opened the scoring with Arnaud Kalimuendo lashing home from point-blank range after Metz shot-stopper Alexandre Oukidja had deflected Baptiste Santamaria’s powerful shot. Metz immediately cooled down the Roazhon Park’s atmosphere by restoring parity against the run of play. Metz’s brilliant George Mikautadze toyed with Jeanuël Belocian on the right before laying an inch-perfect cross for Youssef Maziz to head home.
Despite this unexpected setback, Rennes were still the dominant force by a mile. Bruno Genesio’s players’ intricate and incessant moves in their opponents’ half were a sight to behold – unless you happen to play for Metz. An unmarked Santamaria went close to restoring Rennes’ lead after another clever play from Doku, but he could only shot straight at Oukidja.
In the second half, Rennes kept knocking at the door and got their one-goal advantage back. Right-back Lorenz Assignon crossed for skipper Benjamin Bourigeaud, whose scruffy finish was deflected off Amine Gouiri goalwards. Les Rouge et Noir did not let complacency creep in this time. The electric Doku was on cue to rifle home a shot from Gouiri deflected by the Metz goalie. The Belgian international – for what may have been his final game at the Roazhon Park amid interest from Manchester City – came off to rapturous applause. Substitute Ibrahim Salah even scored a brace in the dying minutes, making the most of Metz’s defensive capitulation.
In the end, the gap of talent between the Champions League hopefuls and the promoted side was there for all to see. Rennes are due to face sterner resistance next week at Lens’ Stade Bollaert. In the meantime, AS Roma’s Nemanja Matić will have joined the ambitious Brittany-based side. On and off the pitch, with club owner and luxury billionnaire François Pinault watching from the stands, new Ligue 1 leaders Rennes definitely mean business.
Rennes player ratings
Steve Mandanda, 6
Lorenz Assignon, 5
Warmed Omari, 6
Arthur Theate, 6
Jeanuël Belocian, 5
Benjamin Bourigeaud, 7 – Another industrious performance from Rennes’ captain. The talismanic midfielder was everywhere on the pitch and was as reliable as ever in both penalty boxes. He is without doubt one of Ligue 1’s best overall midfielder when it comes to his work rate.
Baptiste Santamaria, 6
Enzo Le Fée, 6 – For his first competitive start, the former Lorient man gave a promising preview of things to come. The U21 French international shone in a tailor-made attacking midfielder role, where his vision of the game works wonders with Rennes’ fast-moving forwards.
Jérémy Doku, 7 – A dynamic outing from the Belgian international, who tormented Metz’s defence with his pace and dribbling ability. His decision-making has greatly improved too. His efforts was rewarded by the goal that put the game to bed. No wonder Manchester City have him in their sights.
Arnaud Kalimuendo, 5
Amine Gouiri, 5
Metz player ratings
Alexandre Oukidja, 4
Koffi Kouao, 3 – The Ivory Coast man has had a nightmare outing today. He couldn’t handle Doku’s speed on his flank and he left too much time and space for Assignon to find Bourigeaud for Rennes’ second goal. Also booked for an avoidable foul.
Fali Candé, 3
Ismaël Traoré, 3
Maxime Colin, 3
Danley Jean Jacques, 3
Kevin Ndoram, 4
Lamine Camara, 4
Youssef Maziz, 5
Cheikh Sabaly, 3
George Mikautadze, 6 – The mercurial Georgian did not miss on his introduction to the top flight after lighting Ligue 2 up this past campaign. He created Metz’s equalising goal out of thin air and always threatened Rennes’ defence with the ball at his feet.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
