Rennes secure win on Franck Haise's debut

It was a triumphant debut at Stade Rennais for Franck Haise, as his side ran away with a comfortable 3-0 win over relegation-threatened AJ Auxerre on Sunday afternoon.

A quickfire double does the job

Rennes came into this game with momentum already on their side. Whilst they approached last weekend's game against now-Ligue 1 McDonald's leaders PSG without a manager, they ran out 3-1 winners against Luis Enrique's side.

The Breton club looked to continue where they left off at the Stade de l'Abbé Deschamps, and they did just that in emphatic style as three first-half goals effectively ended the contest, deepening L'AJA's relegation fears.

It could have played out very differently. Lassine Sinayoko thought that he had given Christophe Pélissier's side the lead, finishing well from a tight angle, but he was marginally offside at the time of the ball being played through to him (17'), and Auxerre then soon found themselves trailing.

Estéban Lepaul, most non-penalty goals in Ligue 1 this season 🙌 pic.twitter.com/zWPGEnjWUd
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It was a parry from Donovan Léon that put the ball into a dangerous position but Mahdi Camara still had plenty to do, pulling out an acrobatic effort to finish into the top corner (20'). Just two minutes later, Esteban Lepaul doubled the advantage, perfectly chesting a ball down having got between two Auxerre defenders and then finishing on the half-volley, with his shot crashing off the underside of the bar (22').

Those were two excellent finishes, but they were eclipsed by the third, as Camara doubled his account, curling into the top corner from the edge of the box first-time (45'). Quite the start to life under Haise for the former Stade Brestois midfielder, who almost joined the former Lens manager at Nice at the start of the season.

Rennes up to fifth

The second half, naturally, became one of game management for Rennes, who were in a positive gamestate and didn't need to force the affair. It was Auxerre who had to push to make a fist of things. To do so, Pelissier made four changes at the break, but to little effect, with only half chances for Fredrik Oppegard (63') and Sinayoko (65') to show for their efforts. Neither succeeded in hitting the target.

There was a final push from L'AJA, but Sinayoko could only hit straight at Brice Samba with his effort (90') before Josué Casimir tested the France international with a shot to his near post. Samba was equal to the effort, and so Rennes saw out a win that - provisionally - lifts them to fifth and only three points behind Marseille in fourth.

Haise announced European ambitions during his presentation this week and this win - and the manner of it - will only bolster those hopes. Auxerre remain mired in relegation trouble.

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