Stade Rennais secured a much-needed victory over Angers SCO with a 2-0 scoreline at the Roazhon Park on December 15, 2024. This victory, albeit not the most glamorous of performances, breathed some air back to Rennes, lifting them four points clear of the relegation zone.
The match, part of Ligue 1's 15th matchday, saw Rennes enter with high hopes but low form, having lost four of their previous five encounters. Coach Jorge Sampaoli was suspended for the game, but his team still managed to find the net twice, courtesy of Albert Gronbaek and Lorenz Assignon.
Rennes kicked off slowly, showing signs of the lack of confidence pumping through their ranks. Despite being home, the intensity was poor, and the match garnered discontent from the fans early on. Jordan James came close with two attempts at goal, but neither caused the Angers' keeper, Yahia Fofana, any serious trouble.
The deadlock was broken when Gronbaek, who had replaced the injured Amine Gouiri early on, scored with his head off a well-placed cross from Ludovic Blas just before the half-hour mark. The Danish midfielder's goal, though necessary, was met with muted celebration from his teammates; it seemed as if nobody was convinced this was the start of something positive.
With the score at 1-0, the second half saw increased pressure from Angers, who knew they had to respond. The team, occupying the 15th position on the league table, struggled initially, showing little creativity and failing to pressure the Rennes defense adequately. Ibrahima Niane nearly leveled the score just before halftime, sending his header just over the bar.
Although Angers fought back after the break, most of the efforts proved ineffective. It seemed to be one of those days for both teams, as Angers struggled to convert possession and failed to create clear-cut chances against wobbly Rennes defense.
Rennes' second goal finally came deep during stoppage time—Assignon capitalizing on a slip from Himad Abdelli before cutting inside and firing home. His shot, which was deflected by the ankles of Jordan Lefort, ensured the match ended 2-0, and it was evident how much this win meant for the outfit from Brittany.
After this result, Rennes rose to 12th, standing on 17 points as they headed toward their winter break, with fans hoping for continued improvement. Meanwhile, Angers remained perilously close to the relegation zone at 15th with 13 points, and the pressure remained on them to perform as the league continued.
Despite the victory, concerns lingered over Rennes' ability to finish strong, as Sampaoli will need to instill confidence and commitment within the squad as they progress through the season. The celebrations were restrained, almost signifying the acknowledgment of how much still needs to improve, reflecting the broader struggles of the season.
