Rennes secured a much-needed 2-0 victory against Angers on December 15, 2024, at Roazhon Park, bolstering their hopes of climbing away from the relegation zone. The triumph came as both teams were desperate for points, with Rennes sitting precariously at 12th place and Angers clinging to 15th, just above the relegation zone.
Both sides entered the clash after disappointing runs. Rennes had lost four of their last five matches and were still licking their wounds from the previous week’s defeat to Nantes. Their Argentine manager Jorge Sampaoli had to watch from the stands after being handed a red card during the last encounter. Stepping up to guide the team from the sidelines was his assistant, Diogo Meschine.
The match kicked off with early promise as Wales international Jordan James had a curling effort go just wide, signaling Rennes' intent. Unfortunately for the hosts, Amine Gouiri couldn’t continue past the 14th minute due to injury. Albert Grønbæk was his replacement, and he would soon make his mark.
Rennes dominated the early proceedings but struggled to carve through Angers' defense. The breakthrough finally came just past the half-hour mark. Lorenz Assignon, playing as the right-sided wingback, stormed forward with the ball, finding playmaker Ludovic Blas. Blas threaded the needle with a delicate left-footed cross, allowing Grønbæk to leap forward and head home, making it 1-0.
The goal was well-deserved for Rennes, whose pressure on Angers’ weak defense finally paid off. Angers attempted to respond but were repeatedly thwarted by Rennes' back three. Despite their struggles, the visitors began to apply pressure late, but their efforts were thwarted by the resilient Rennes goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, who remained alert to deny Angers any joy.
Rennes extended their lead shortly after the hour mark, again capitalizing on Angers' defensive lapses. Himad Abdelli lost possession deep on the field, leading to another counter from Rennes. Assignon took full advantage, firing home with his left foot—his shot taking a significant deflection before nestling in the back of the net.
"The hosts got what they came for," reported GFFN | Bastien Cheval, encapsulating the sentiment as Rennes enjoyed their well-earned home victory. The match concluded with Rennes sitting comfortably at 12th, moving up from their previous position, which eased some of the mounting pressure.
Post-match analysis highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two sides. While Rennes showcased resilience and tactical discipline under pressure, the same could not be said for Angers. They are now facing looming questions about their ability to steer clear of relegation, having lost four of their last five games. This has placed their very survival in Ligue 1 at risk.
Key statistics were provided at the game's conclusion: Rennes’ victory was their fifth against Angers out of their last six encounters, emphasizing their historical strength over this rival. Notably, Angers have managed only 14 goals this season, one of the lowest records among all teams outside the bottom three.
Rennes' Grønbæk was particularly praised for his impact as he heads toward more significant contributions following his recent performances. Analysts noted, "His left-footed cross toward Grønbæk's header appears to be impressive," indicating the potential for more moments of brilliance as the season progresses.
With this victory, the stage is set as Rennes look to build on their success, aiming to solidify their position as they set their eyes on avoiding the relegation battle. On the contrary, Angers will be desperate to find answers as their struggles continue and they slip down the leaderboard.
Overall, Rennes’ ability to outperform Angers not only granted them needed points but also injected some confidence back within their ranks. Meanwhile, Angers now face the harsh reality of needing to reevaluate their strategy as they prepare for their subsequent matches.
