Rennes (AFP)

Defeated 2-1 by Angers on Friday at Roazhon Park at the opening of the 8th day of Ligue 1, the Rennes recorded their first defeat in the league since February, still showing a lack of efficiency in attack and dangerous air holes in defense.

After two draws against the last of the championship and a frustrating introduction (1-1) against Krasnodar, their opponent a priori the most affordable in the Champions League, the Rennes see their place on the Ligue 1 podium very threatened and will go have to re-mobilize before the trip to Seville on Wednesday.

A few hours before the city fell under the curfew regime, more than 4,000 supporters had been authorized at the stadium.

But this time, no ultras clumped in their stands, the public was wisely disseminated throughout the stadium and the speaker increased the calls to respect health instructions and to download the virus tracing application launched this week by the government .

Pushed by the public, the Rennais pressed to enter the Angevin camp, with beautiful combinations around the two young wingers Yann Gboho, 19, from the training center, and Jérémy Doku, 18, the most expensive recruit in the history of the Breton club, holder for the first time since his arrival at the end of the transfer window.

Following an acceleration from Doku, left side Adrien Truffert, preferred for tonight to Brazilian Dalbert, sent a long cross to Flavien Tait.

The volley of the former Angevin slipped from the arms of goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni into the feet of Adrien Hunou who opened the scoring at close range (1-0, 18th).

But the Rennais then dropped in regime.

And while the Angevins were reduced to 10 by the exit on injury of Enzo Ebosse and the restless Jimmy Cabot had just deserted his right wing to compensate in defense, Stéphane Bahoken, who celebrated his 100th game in L1 on Friday, s' is pressed precisely on this side to serve Sofiane Boufal indented.

- Succession of occasions -

Unintentionally diverted by Damien Da Silva, the strike of the former Lille playmaker, just back in his training club after a disappointing stint in England and Spain, deceived goalkeeper Alfred Gomis (1-1, 26th).

Despite some fine movements from Rennes and a few technical demonstrations from Doku or Steven Nzonzi, it was Bahoken who created the main opportunities: launched alone in the axis, he missed his duel with Gomis (43rd), before seeing a powerful strike pass right next to the frame (53rd).

Until Angers took the advantage thanks to Angelo Fulgini: served deep in the axis, he got rid of Da Silva before lobbing Gomis (1-2, 57th).

The last confrontation between the two teams, in January in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France at the Raymond Kopa stadium, ended with a victory for Rennes 5 to 4 after extra time.

Friday, the last half hour was a succession of chances on both sides, with Rennes who pushed more and more, in particular with the entry into play of Martin Terrier and Benjamin Bourigeaud, but without finding the flaw.

A big disappointment for the local public, while Rennes had never lost in the league against Angers since the rise of Stéphane Moulin's men in Ligue 1 in 2015 (7 wins and 3 draws) and had not lost at home for one 0-1 against Marseille on January 10.

© 2020 AFP