Rennes move top of Ligue 1 after narrow win over struggling Marseille
Rennes moved to the top of Ligue 1 after beating Marseille 1-0 at Roazhon Park, securing a third consecutive victory and extending their strong start to the season.
Adrien Thomasson scored the goal early in the second half. Goalkeeper Brice Samba made key saves to keep Marseille from scoring. The result puts Rennes one point ahead of Monaco. Marseille drop to 11th after taking three points from their first four matches.
Match highlight
Marseille arrived in Brittany needing a response after two defeats. They made the start. In the minute Igor Paixao had the first major chance of the match. He found space inside the area. Looked set to put Marseille ahead.. Samba made an excellent save to deny him.
The first half was scrappy. Neither side managed to keep control of the ball for long. Most of the attempts came from distance. Both teams struggled to create an opening. Timothy Weah produced Marseilles effort. The Olympiens captain struck a shot from range. Samba pushed it over the bar. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg also had a chance inside the box. He failed to make contact and did not test the Rennes goalkeeper.
Marseille had carried threat before the break.. Franck Haises half-time team talk clearly had an effect on Rennes. The home side came out with speed and purpose. Their pressure brought the breakthrough in the minute. Thomasson arrived from range and finished to score his first goal for Rennes.
Marseille nearly responded six minutes later. Hojbjerg found himself in a good position. He hit a shot on target.. Samba was equal to it again. His save protected Rennes lead at a point when the match could easily have swung back toward the visitors.
Rennes then came close to making the result safe in the minute. Thomasson struck quickly from inside the area. His effort hit the crossbar. Bounced away. Marseilles belief faded as the second half wore on. They struggled to put Samba under pressure until a late spell of attacks.. They could not turn that possession into the clear chance they needed.
Rennes held on for all three points. They now sit first in Ligue 1. The win has given Haises real momentum. It is three victories, after an impressive opening month.
Marseille leave with questions. Their early performance was competitive.. They did not take their chances. Again they failed to recover after conceding. Both clubs now turn their attention to weeks opening round of UEFA Europa League league-phase matches.
