Rennes (AFP)

Rennes relaunched in the league by defeating Nantes 1-0 in a derby very involved in a Roazhon Park of the great days, Sunday on the occasion of the third day of Ligue 1.

Remained on two frustrating draws against Lens (1-1) and Brest (1-1), Bruno Genesio's men are thus back in the direction of the market, before a return jump-off against Rosenborg on Thursday in Norway (first leg: 2 -0) to secure their ticket to the group stage of the new Europa League Conference.

Rennes, however, risk having to do without their winger Jérémy Doku, once again poisonous to the defense but released through injury at the end of the first period.

Deprived of their best injured attackers and part of their supporters - the prefect having authorized only 540 Nantes residents strongly supervised in the visitor parking lot - the Nantes people have not been unworthy.

Far from the procrastination of last season, the Canaries, already authors of a good draw in Monaco (1-1) and a victory against Metz (2-0), will have a chance to play Friday at Beaujoire against Lyonnais in full doubt.

After a somewhat disjointed start to the match, Rennes quickly put pressure on the Nantes camp, with a strike from Flavien Tait deflected by goalkeeper Alban Lafont (8th).

The Rennes chances succeeded, but the strikes of Benjamin Bourigeaud (9th) or Hamari Traoré (21st) were deflected or not on target.

Head scorer on a set piece last week in Brest and Thursday against Rosenborg, Serhou Guirassy this time did not find the frame (36th, 45th + 1).

Rather against the course of the game, the main thrill of the first period was Nantes, with a strike from Ludovic Blas, very well served by the twirling Moses Simon.

Deflected by Alfred Gomis on his side Birger Meling, the ball was repelled by the crossbar (31st).

As in the last derby in April, Rennes finally opened the scoring with a magnificent strike from Martin Terrier, served by Baptiste Santamaria, the latest arrival already fully integrated (1-0, 58th).

The joy of Rennes striker Martin Terrier, author of the only home derby goal against Nantes, on August 22, 2021 at Roazhon Park LOIC VENANCE AFP

In a boiling stadium, Guirassy had the ball 2-0 at the end of the stud but stumbled twice on Lafont (60th).

Nantes goalkeeper Alban Lafont deflects the shot from Rennes striker Serhou Guirassy during their derby on August 22, 2021 at Roazhon Park LOIC VENANCE AFP

The two teams continued to push, each obtaining a few opportunities without managing to change the score, after a match marked by borderline gestures on both sides not always whistled.

According to the Rouge Mémoire website, this is Rennes' 800th victory in some 2,300 first division matches ...

© 2021 AFP