On March 2, 2025, Ligue 1 saw Rennes secure a decisive 4-0 victory against Montpellier, taking place at Stade de la Mosson. The win, which marked Rennes' second consecutive triumph, elevated them to 11th place on the league table, showcasing their developments under pressure. Montpellier, on the other hand, continues to reside at the bottom of the league, struggling with consistency.
From the onset, Rennes demonstrated control over the match, holding the possession with deft passing and strategic plays. Although the initial push failed to yield goals, they maintained pressure against the Montpellier defense. An early attempt was made by Anthony Louveau, whose corner kick met Lorent Assignon, but Montpellier’s defense parried it just before crossing the goal line.
Rennes appeared dangerous, though the first half saw their strikes thwarted, including narrowly escaping efforts by Andy Delort, who nearly opened the scoring against them. It was the 28th minute, when a pass received by Seko Fofana executed with precision led to the opening goal for Rennes. After some counterattacks and defensive stumbles from Montpellier, Fofana managed to slot the ball home with his right foot, giving Rennes the lead.
Nonetheless, Rennes were saved by the whistle on two occasions as Montpellier players’ goals were disallowed due to offside calls. The first came at the 20th minute, as Montpellier’s Teji Savanier set up Delort, which could have put them on the scoreboard. Generally displayed throughout the half, Montpellier’s struggles with offside infractions prevented them from building on what little offensive advantages they did manage.
The first half ended with Rennes maintaining their one-goal lead, as both teams headed to their locker rooms, tension high and stakes higher. Montpellier coach, Habib Beye, rallied his players during the break, encouraging them to press harder, but unfortunately, Montpellier’s second-half performance did not improve. Instead, Rennes came back determined.
Early on, the second half presented more problems for representing team Montpellier. Just 11 minutes after the restart, Ibrahima Konate, off of a short corner, executed a precise pass to Jauwi Sise on the edge of the penalty area, who unleashed a stunning mid-range effort to double Rennes' advantage. This goal showcased the tactical superiority of Rennes and was indicative of their dominant display.
With every passing minute, Rennes seemed more confident, as they expanded their lead in the 69th minute. Following some slick build-up play, Ludovic Blas provided another assist, finding Assignon who headed it past the Montpellier goalkeeper. The drumming hearts of Montpellier fans turned to frustration, with their team lacking any composure and direction.
Montpellier's collapsing defense was exploited once again when, at the 86th minute, Rennes’ Arnaud Kalimuendo was felled inside the box, leading to the referee awarding them a penalty. Kalimuendo himself stepped up to take the kick but saw it saved by Benjamin Lecomte, who congratulated his defense for the last-minute efforts. Nonetheless, Kalimuendo quickly got back on his feet to redirect the rebound, securing Rennes’ lead at 4-0.
The match ended with Rennes celebrating on the pitch as they reinvigorated their interim hopes of moving up the league, contrasting the palpable disappointment among the Montpellier players. The win displayed Rennes’ attacking prowess and resilience, and they will look to build on this momentum. Montpellier, on the other hand, will need to reassess their strategies and reignite the vigour within their camp if they’re to escape the bottom positions of the league.
Moving forward, Rennes face upcoming challenges, including matches against stronger teams, where seizing opportunities will be pivotal to their aspirations for climbing the Ligue 1 table. The hope for both teams is, certainly, for improvement, as the season approaches its concluding fixtures.