Rennes Struggles to a Narrow Victory Over Reims

Rennes, France – Stade Rennais secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Stade de Reims in the opening match of Ligue 1’s 23rd round, but the performance left much to be desired.

Early Advantage and Numerical Superiority

Rennes seized an early advantage when Reims defender Emmanuel Mendy was sent off in the 5th minute for a reckless challenge on Rennes forward Kamaldeen Sulemana. The dismissal left Reims down a man for the vast majority of the match.

Rennes took full advantage of their numerical superiority and opened the scoring just five minutes later. Arnaud Kalimuendo converted a penalty after he was fouled in the box.

Dominance But Lack of Finishing

Despite their man advantage, Rennes failed to truly dominate the match. They enjoyed plenty of possession and created several chances, but they struggled to find the back of the net again.

Rennes wingers Adrien Truffert and Warmed Omari were lively on the flanks, but their crosses often failed to find their intended target. Reims goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf also made a number of impressive saves to keep his team in the match.

Reims’ Fightback

After an hour of play, Reims began to show more intent going forward. The visitors created a few half-chances, but they were unable to test Rennes goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.

In the end, Rennes held on for the victory, but the performance was far from convincing. The home fans expressed their frustration with a chorus of boos at the final whistle.

Habib Beye’s Impact

Despite the unconvincing performance, the victory extends Stade Rennais’ unbeaten run to four matches since Habib Beye took over as manager. Beye has brought a new sense of organization and discipline to the team, but the attacking play still needs improvement.

Reims’ Struggles Continue

For Reims, the defeat is another setback in a disappointing season. The club has now gone 12 league matches without a win and is entrenched in a relegation battle.

The dismissal of Ilan Kebbal in the 89th minute summed up Reims’ night, as they struggled to make any sort of impact on the game.

Conclusion

Rennes’ victory may have secured three points, but it will do little to ease the concerns of the club’s supporters. The team’s attack remains blunt, and the overall performance was far from convincing.

For Reims, the crisis continues. The club is now in serious danger of relegation and will need to find a way to turn things around quickly.