Les Verts lose against Rennes

The context

After losing 4-1 to a Champions League version of Lille last weekend, Les Verts, without the suspended Dylan Batubinsika, welcome Stade Rennais. Habib Beye's men, recently appointed in Brittany, dominated Strasbourg at the very end of the match on the previous day. After an XXL mercato, the Red and Blacks arrive in Le Forez with the ambition of moving out of the danger zone in the standings. But Eirik Horneland's Les Verts have the same ambitions!

The XI

Deprived of Dylan Batubinsika after his straight red card at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Léo Pétrot slipped into the center of the defense and Pierre Cornud was brought in as left-back. Another difference with the XI that started in Lille is that Augustine Boakye starts on the right of the St Etienne forward line.

💪 Le XI stéphanois pour #ASSESRFC ! 💚

Coup d'envoi de la J21 dans une heure tout pile ! 🆚 pic.twitter.com/MOgjdakQhJ

— AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) February 8, 2025

The match

Les Verts get off to a strong start, as usual with a lot of energy. Louis Mouton was the first Vert to make his mark. From a ball fed to him by Zuriko Davitashvili, the midfielder took his chance but failed to hit the target (4th). On the other side, the first chance fell to Blas, who was blocked by Léo Pétrot in the box (7th). But the next shot hit the net. From Assignon's cross from 5.50m, Kalimuendo took the ball from point-blank range and sent it into the back of the net (ASSE 0-1 Rennes, 15th). Two minutes later, Benjamin Bouchari got out of a tight space as he usually does, but received a heavy boot on the ankle from James, for which he received a simple caution (17th)... Kalimuendo and Al Tamari crossed to give the Jordanian a chance to shoot. The attempt crashed into the advertising hoarding (34th). The final chance of the game was Blas's, who served a shot from just outside the six-yard box that sailed over the top.

After the break, Al Tamari picked up the ball on the edge of the area and sent in a heavy shot that “Larso” deflected wide (48th). Les Verts then regained the upper hand, but attempts by Zuriko Davitashvili (54th) and Lucas Stassin (57th) were blocked by Samba. The Georgian international's new, well-worked attempt flirted with the Rennes left-hand post a few moments later (66th). After a good combination, Dennis Appiah found himself in a position to shoot, but his attempt was far too crushed to worry anyone (80th). Gautier Larsonneur then got down perfectly to save Cissé's left-footed shot (82nd). He could do nothing next, however, when Madiga happily picked up the ball alone in front of the goal line for the breakthrough (ASSE 0-2 Rennes, 85th). A final duel won by Larso (90th + 4) and Djylian N'Guessan's final shot off target (90th + 5) brought the game to a close.

At the final whistle, Les Verts remain 16th and in the McDonald's Ligue 1 play-off positions.

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

Une publication partagée par AS Saint-Étienne (@asseofficiel)

Next

Les Verts face a trip to La Canebière next weekend. The Stade Velodrome will be the venue for the 22nd round of McDonald's Ligue 1 matches (next Saturday, 5pm).