For three seasons under the colors of Montpellier, Laborde had imposed himself in attack, gradually raising his level of play, in animation as in finishing, until finishing last season with 16 goals and 8 assists.

While Lyon, Seville or even Zenit Saint-Petersburg made eyes at him last summer, he chose Rennes to take a new step, and the transplant quickly took hold.

His counter already shows 17 goals this season – 12 in Ligue 1 (including 3 with Montpellier in August) and 5 in the Europa League Conference – and his desire to win has won over the workforce.

At his side, the wise Martin Terrier has thus turned into a goal machine, which explodes its records by also pointing to 12 goals in L1, tied with Kylian Mbappé and Jonathan David behind the 14 units of Wissam Ben Yedder.

The joy of Rennes striker Martin Terrier, after his goal scored against Troyes, during the 12th day of Ligue 1, October 31, 2021 at the Stade de l'Aube FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI AFP / Archives

"I think our bond shows. He's someone who talks a lot and takes others up," explained Terrier a few weeks ago.

"A big mind"

Coach Olivier Dall'Oglio, who met him during the summer in Montpellier, is not surprised by the success of this "boy with a competitive temperament, who always wants to progress with each training session, who has a rage to win and who displays reflection in his game".

"He has a big mind. It's the mark of success," he insists.

However, Laborde experienced a bad patch this winter, with a series of 7 matches without a single goal between the end of November and mid-January.

Faced with rigorous low blocks and a return to earth from Rennes midfielders after the sparks of autumn, he found himself with far fewer chances (30% fewer shots).

Rennes striker Gaëtan Laborde, struggling with American defender from Troyes, Eric Palmer-Brown, during the 25th day of Ligue 1, February 20, 2022 at Roazhon Park JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER AFP / Archives

In addition, he lacked success, like his teammates who have regularly struggled in recent months to kill matches in their highlights.

He even missed his shot on goal in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France lost to Nancy.

"It was not easy," he admitted at a press conference last week, recalling that he had nevertheless helped the team with his races, his pressing (and 2 assists).

"It comes back on its own"

"A striker is also made up of cycles. Sometimes it scores, sometimes it doesn't score (...) I always have to focus on the job and on what I can do good to help the team. Goals come back on their own," he added.

It came back during the Rennes card against Bordeaux in mid-January (6-0), and the counter turned again on Sunday against Troyes (4-1) thanks to a nice gesture from the team on the penalty spot, the first from Rennes in L1 this season.

Martin Terrier was to shoot it but he had just scored, at the conclusion of a collective action jewel.

Captain Hamari Traoré then took the initiative to entrust the ball to Laborde, who transformed with a panenka.

Ruthless, Laborde has already scored in the Rennes jersey twice against Bordeaux, his training club, and once against Brest, where he was loaned out in 2014/2015.

Montpellier remains the only one of its former clubs still unscathed.

Rennes striker Gaëtan Laborde (2nd d) comforts Trojan goalkeeper Gauthier Gallon, after converting his penalty thanks to a panenka, during the 25th day of Ligue 1, February 20, 2022 at Roazhon Park JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER AFP / Archives

But Jonas Omlin, the Montpellier goalkeeper, is wary: "He was already dangerous last season, he is now against us. It's not a good thing for us. He can hit left foot, right foot (...) It will be important to watch it carefully."

© 2022 AFP