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Stade Rennais vs. FC Nantes: 5 Legendary matches
Despite both sides having middling seasons by their standards, there's never any love lost in a Breton derby between FC Nantes and Stade Rennais -- join us for a look back at some of the most memorable of recent years.
Breton derbies -- matches traditionally involving Stade Rennais, FC Nantes, Angers SCO, Stade Brestois and FC Lorient -- are always spicy affairs, but this is never more true than when Nantes take on Rennes. The two clubs have had the most global success, with Nantes having won eight league titles and Rennes regular participants in Europe of late. Over the years, despite both having suffered occasional relegations, the two have faced off nearly one hundred times -- here are five of the most memorable encounters.
Ligue 1, December 2024 FC Nantes 1-0 Stade Rennais
In a tense encounter, with an expensively rebuilt Stade Rennais side struggling in midtable, the hosts thrilled a packed out Stade Beaujoire with a spectacular last-minute winner from Moses Simon. Picking up the ball on the left flank, he cut inside and let fly with an unstoppable shot to seal what would be three crucial points for Les Canaris.
Ligue 1, December 2020 Stade Rennais 3-2 FC nantes
Despite Rennes sitting third in the table entering this match, Julien Stéphan's young side struggled to get to grips with their canny rivals, and after having leveled the match through Raphinha, things looked lost when Simon scored to put the visitors ahead with ten minutes to play. However, with two goals in stoppage time -- one each from Raphinha and Benjamin Bourigeaud, who had come off the bench, the hosts nicked a 3-2 win.
Coupe de la ligue round of 16, 2018 stade rennais 2-1 fc nantes
Nantes looked ready to pull an upset, as it appeared an early goal from Majeed Waris would see them reach the quarterfinals, but the hosts had other ideas, as a pair of assists from Bourigeaud set up defenders Mexer and Damien Da Silva, allowing Rennes to progress.
Coupe de France Quarterfinals, 2000 FC Nantes 2-1 Stade Rennais
Nantes, who would win the title the following season, were the heavy favorites here, but Rennes gave as good as they got, with Christophe LeRoux netting ten minutes from time to level the match. In added time, goalscoring midfielder Antoine Sibierski would settle the match, though, helping Nantes progress in a tournament they would eventually win.
Trophée des champions, 1965 FC Nantes 4-2 Stade Rennais
The only time the longtime rivals have faced off with a trophy on the line dates back sixty years. Imperious under the legendary José Arribás, Nantes would reel off four league titles for the Spaniard, and send striker Philippe Gondet to the 1966 World Cup in England. Playing in their former home, the Stade Marcel Sapin, Nantes cruised to a comprehensive win with Gondet netting a hat trick.
As the two sides renew their hostilities tomorrow evening, does another classic await?
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