Lorient win in the Breton derby against Rennes and earn their first win at home this season. A comical own-goal from Omari gave the home side the lead, before Ludovic Blas equalised. Yet, after Rennes domination throughout the first-half, it was towering centre-back Isaac Touré who poked home to give Les Merlus the lead.
The game got off to a nightmarish start for Rennes when defender Warmed Omari contributed to an early own goal in the third minute. Omari’s calamitous first touch off Aiyegun Tosin’s cross rebounded off the crossbar, and he subsequently failed to clear the ball, instead directing it into his own net.
Despite the unfortunate start, Rennes quickly regrouped and began to assert themselves. Their persistence paid off after 20 minutes when Ludovic Blas netted a sublime equaliser, finishing off a well-orchestrated passing move triggered by Enzo Le Fee (on his return to the Stade de Moustoir). Amine Gouiri’s pinpoint pass set up Blas for his second goal of the season, marking Gouiri’s first assist of the campaign.
Rennes dominated possession and peppered Yvon Mvogo’s goal with attempts. Adrien Truffert, in particular, tested the Swiss international goalkeeper with a volley from outside the box and a low long-range effort, both of which Mvogo parried brilliantly to deny Rennes.
However, against the run of play, Lorient found themselves back in the lead just before half-time. Isaac Touré, the towering Lorient center-back, made a foray into the attacking third. Touré won a header against Belocieni, and another error from Omari provided the 2.06-meter tall giant with an opportunity to poke the ball emphatically into the net.
Rennes pressed hard, but Yvonn Mvogo was up to the task, making vital saves to keep Lorient in the lead. Junior Eli Kroupi’s low strike and Touré’s powerful header also saw Lorient threaten to extend their lead in the second period.
In the final stages of the match, the game settled into a prolonged period of attack versus defence, with Rennes making substitutions to add extra firepower. Despite their efforts, Rennes couldn’t find the equalizer, and Lorient successfully defended their lead.
LORIENT PLAYER RATINGS:
Mvogo, 7
Talbi, 5
F.Mendy, 6
Isaac Touré, 8 – The former Le Havre & Auxerre defender showed a striker’s instinct to poke home and give Lorient a 2-1 lead just before half-time. His defensive effort was also vital in blocking Bourigaud early on, as the towering defender caused plenty of problems offensively against Rennes. Touré had the most touches of any Lorient player by full-time, and showed an impressive composure on the ball.
Le Bris, 5
Abergel, 5
Bakayoko, 6
Yongwa, 5
Kroupi, 5
Pagis, 5
Tosin, 6
RENNES PLAYER RATINGS:
Mandanda, 6
Truffert, 5
Belocien, 4
Omari, 3 – A comedically avoidable own goal set the tone and cost Rennes dearly in the opening minutes, yet his side were able to get back into the game and draw level around ten minutes later. If the opener was unfortunate on the 23-year-old, his mistake for Lorient’s second goal through Isaac Touré compounded a nightmarish defensive afternoon for Rennes, despite some good work on the ball from the defender.
Assignon, 5
Le Fée, 6
Santamaria, 5
Bourigaud, 6
Gouiri, 6
Kalimuendo, 5
Blas, 6
GFFN | George Boxall
