After their card against Lorient (5-0) last week, the Rennais wanted to continue at Roazhon Park against Saint-Etienne, 18th and virtual play-off, during the 35th day of L1, Saturday April 30. In a tactical match and facing a well-grouped Greens defense, Bruno Genesio’s men managed to bring back the essentials, namely the three points, thanks to two goals from Lovro Majer before the break (1-0, 41st) and at the end of the match (2-0, 84th).
The Bretons take the opportunity to beat their record for points in the elite (62 points, against 61), while they have three days left to play (Nantes, Marseille and Lille). Above all, they come back to three lengths behind OM, second in the championship, who challenge OL on Sunday evening (8:45 p.m.) and will be under pressure, and regain a little lead over Monaco, 4th, who will receive Angers (3 p.m. ). Martin Terrier’s teammates believe more than ever in qualifying for the next Champions League.
90+5′: Red and Black Victory ✊
Serious from start to finish in a difficult match to negotiate, the Rennais take the 3⃣ points! #SRFCASSE 2-0 pic.twitter.com/sOV1w9t7Vq
— Stade Rennais FC (@staderennais) April 30, 2022
The best attack in Ligue 1 (77 goals) did not flinch. And this time, it was not Martin Terrier, second in the scorer rankings (21 goals) behind the unstoppable Kylian Mbappé, who stood out. The great architect of Rennes’ victory and the only scorer in the game is called Lovro Majer. In all good shots and realistic when needed, the Croatian was the most dangerous man on the field on Saturday. He guided his people to a painful success, because despite the overwhelming possession of the ball in favor of the Bretons (73% over the whole meeting), the opportunities were not legion.
The Rouge et Noir even had a few scares on the rare Saint-Etienne counterattacks (38th, 45th, 47th). But the goal of the break has definitively put an end to any hope of a comeback for the Greens, who will have to fight until the end to, at least, preserve their place as a play-off.
For Rennes, the hardest part is yet to come: trip to Nantes for the derby (May 11), clash between C1 contenders against OM at Roazhon Park (May 14) and a complicated last day away from home against Losc . A spicy menu that you will have to digest well to dream of Europe.