Stade Rennais cruised to a 3-0 win against relegation-threatened Lorient in round 16 of Ligue 1 on Sunday.
Damien Da Silva, Benjamin Bourigeaud and Martin Terrier bagged for the visitors to cement the final Europa League spot and remain just five points off leaders Lille.
The faithful fans at Roazhon Park will be hoping for another European tour in 2021 which looks increasingly likely after winning three games on the trot and catching up with Lille and Paris Saint-Germain who drew 0-0.
Earlier this season saw Rennes compete in the Champions League group stage having finished third in 2019, one point ahead of Lille when the season was curtailed in March.
However, their maiden campaign in Europe’s top club competition was disappointing as they collected just one point from matches against Chelsea, Sevilla and Krasnodar.
In this unique season, not having any European commitments may suit Julien Stephan’s side as they bid to return to the elite competition for 2021.
The Frenchman has been in charge at Roazhon Park since replacing Sabri Lamouchi in 2018 and led them to their first trophy in 48 years when they beat PSG on penalties in the Coupe de Ligue before achieving their highest ever league finish in 2019.
Often using a 4-1-4-1 formation, the 40 year-old uses former Stoke midfielder Steven N’Zonzi as the defensive screen with Adrien Hunou leading the line upfront. Set-pieces are a strength with centre-backs Da Silva and Nayef Aguerd scoring three apiece, making them the club’s second top scorers behind striker Serhou Guirassy.
It is an experienced side with the majority of players over the age of 25 although teenager Martin Terrier has impressed on the left wing and the highly-rated 16-year-old Eduardo Camavinga is thriving in midfield with 11 starts in Ligue 1 and starting four in the Champions League.
Camavinga burst onto the scene in 2019/20 after 24 starts and 26 appearances, becoming Rennes’ youngest-ever player against Angers in April 2019 at just 16-years-old, and now has two senior caps for France even scoring in his first start.
Born in Angola, the attacking midfielder moved to France at the age of two and has been with the Rennes youth system since 11. Given his massive potential, the major European clubs are circling and should go for an astronomical fee if Rennes choose to sell.
It’s refreshing to see Rennes’ success even after losing Ismaila Sarr to Watford for £30m in 2019, selling key man Raphina to newly-promoted Premier League side Leeds United and main goalkeeper Edouard Mendy departed to Chelsea.
Raphina replaced Sarr to good effect scoring five times and registering three assists while Mendy kept nine clean sheets in 2019/20.
Losing two of their best players may not have helped Les Rouge et Noir but it hasn’t hindered them after a very good start to their Ligue 1 campaign considering, sitting fourth after 16 matches.
It’s all eyes on Roazhon Park in the next round of fixtures as Rennes look to make it four wins in a row in Ligue 1 as they host mid-table side Metz.
Notable Results
Lille 0-0 PSG – Top of the table ends in stalemate as hosts remain top while visitors, without Neymar, remain third.
Nice 1-4 Lyon – Karl Toko-Ekambi, Memphis Depay and Tino Kadewere all score as Lyon keep pace with Lille at the top.
Dijon 0-1 Monaco – Hosts remain adrift at bottom with Monaco just three points off European places.
Marseille 1-1 Reims – Lowly Reims hold Andre Villas-Boas’ men who lose ground on leaders.
