Recap: Brest victorious in Breton derby over Rennes
Match Reports
Stade Brestois overcame Stade Rennais at Roazhon Park to move into the top half of the Ligue 1 McDonald's table.
Roazhon Park was the backdrop for some historic scenes last season, when Stade Brestois managed to qualify for a first-ever European campaign. Rennes were hoping to take out their revenge, but also put an end to a bad run of three defeats in a row. Les Brestois, on the other hand, could move into the top half of the table with a win against their Breton Neighbors.
The first half was a tight affair, with Rennes trying to get on the ball and stamp their authority on the Derby at home. Christopher Wooh came with the first chance for the hosts, rising high to meet Jordan James' delivery from the corner causing Marco Bizot to make a solid parry from close range. But Rennes couldn't capitalise on their best chances, and it would be Les Pirates who would plunge themselves into a one-goal lead. And what an effort it was, as Hugo Magnetti arrowed a perfectly-struck low effort into the back of the net from the edge of the box to open the scoring for Les Ti'zefs (27').
Brest show Ti'zef spirit
The hosts would get close to levelling the score, as Jordan James' rocket from range managed to strike the crossbar after taking a wicked deflection off a Brestois defender. Shortly after the break, Mama Baldé had a great opportunity to break on the counter attack: with the Brest attack outnumbering the Rennes defence 3-to-2. Baldé decided to go at it alone but Brice Samba was equal to save with his left foot. Samba would then be at fault as Sima picked up on the goalkeeper's mistaken clearance, bearing down on goal and then providing a perfect flat cross to Ludovic Ajorque who tucked away a first-time finish into the back of the net to double Brest's lead (73').
Ludovic Blas would then pick up on Amine Gouiri's well-placed pass inside the box and strike past Bizot to half the deficit only minutes later. Les Rouge et Noir would push to find an equalising goal going into the closing stages of the derby. Substitute Mohamed Kader Meïté almost fooled Bizot at the near post with a cross but a mix of the Dutchman and defender Abdoulaye Ndiaye was enough to clear to safety. Les Pirates then managed to see out the affair to seal an important three points over their Breton rivals and move into contention for a top half finish. For Jorge Sampaoli's men, the loss against Brest would come as their fourth defeat in a row in all competitions, sitting only a point above Saint-Étienne who occupy the relegation play-off spot.
THE STAT: Eleven is not Heaven
Stade Rennais have not suffered 11 defeats after their first 18 games of a Ligue 1 McDonald's season since the 1983-1984 campaign.
