Defeated against Lille on Wednesday (1-2) after a series of 13 straight games without defeat in all competitions, Stade Rennais returned to the front line in the most beautiful way, Sunday, December 5. Carried by a Martin Terrier in fusion in the Cauldron of Geoffroy-Guichard, the Bretons inflicted a correction on ASSE (0-5), more than ever the red lantern of Ligue 1. The days of Claude Puel on the Stéphanois bench seem, more than ever, numbered.
> Relive the slap inflicted by Stade Rennais on the Saint-Etienne Greens during the 17th day
– AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) December 5, 2021
Reading the result leaves no room for doubt: yes, Saint-Etienne sank at home this Sunday. However, the start of the meeting did not suggest such a slap in the face. Having entered their game, Wahbi Khazri’s teammates were more enterprising with heavy pressing and technical domination that the Tunisian almost achieved in the 18th minute, but his goal was ultimately refused for an offside position.
Four minutes later, on roughly the same action – a ball in the depth behind the axis of the Stéphanoise defense – Martin Terrier had deceived Etienne Green with a flat foot assured. After several seconds of suspense and the use of VAR, the goal was finally awarded (0-1, 22nd). A first hard blow for the Greens who would sink in 20 minutes.
Terrier, on a superb madjer after a low center from Lovro Majer (0-2, 28th), then Yvann Maçon against his camp, deflecting a recovery from Lorenz Assignon (0-3, 45th), came to increase the score in favor of Rennais, already almost assured at the break to resume their place of dolphin of PSG in the standings.
Hat, Mr. Terrier #ASSESRFC 0-4 pic.twitter.com/1lL9av5djo
– Stade Rennais FC (@staderennais) December 5, 2021
The highlight of the (sad) spectacle for the supporters at Geoffroy-Guichard will come after the break. Eccentric on the left side at about twenty meters, Martin Terrier scored the jewel of this afternoon with a superb shot wrapped with the right foot which came to caress the skylight of Green, completely helpless (0-4, 48th). His 8th goal of the season. Lesley Ugochukwu in turn will launch his professional career by scoring his first achievement in the 83rd minute (0-5).
Booed by the stands during the majority of the meeting, the Saint-Etienne players saw their supporters descend from the stands to approach the field, once again illustrating the extreme tension within the Forez club. All under the eyes of a placid Claude Puel and heckled by several banners calling for his ouster. This humiliation at home does not play, anyway, not in his favor, just like this third straight setback in the league after those against PSG (1-3) and Brest (1-0).