The strike force of the Bretons, led by Martin Terrier, hurt the experimental defense of Montpellier, which came back two goals before halftime (2-2) before collapsing after the break.

Bruno Genesio's team temporarily takes 4th place at the expense of Strasbourg (5th), which receives Nice (3rd) on Saturday.

Rennes, sovereign at home, breaks the ice outside where it breaks a series of four consecutive defeats (Paris, Clermont, Lens, Monaco) and reassures itself before moving to Lyon, then to Nice.

Fifteen days after his defeat at La Mosson in front of Lille (0-1), Montpellier (10th) relapsed before another candidate for Europe and complicated his end of the season.

He even gives up his 9th place to Lens before his trip to Angers on Sunday.

Since the winter break, Olivier Dall'Oglio's team has lost the thread and is running at low speed, with only six points in seven matches.

Handicapped by the absence of striker Stephy Mavididi, defense boss Mamadou Sakho or Serbian side Mihailo Ristic, she did not have the defensive resources to respond to one of the best attacks in the championship.

Laborde, winning comeback

For his return to La Mosson, six months after his transfer, center-forward Gaëtan Laborde and his partners set fire to a first period of madness.

Following two assists from the right side and captain Hamari Traoré, Rennes led after a quarter of an hour with two goals.

A first from striker Terrier with an uncrossed header (8th), the second by midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud with a flat foot recovery (15th).

Half-groggy, Montpellier revolted to quickly reduce the score through his left side Ambroise Oyongo, author of a half-volley (19th).

The young center-forward Elye Wahi managed an improbable return to equalize (41).

After the resumption, the former Montpellier Laborde gave the advantage to the Bretons on a penalty (52), following a foul by the Brazilian returning Matheus Thuler on Terrier.

Twice, Montpellier had the equalizing ball by Wahi, who came up against Gomis (66') leaving the area, then on a confused action with a header from Laborde on his own crossbar, followed by a rescue on the line of Meling (68th).

Six minutes from the end, Croatian midfielder Lovro Majer, with a cross shot, completed Rennes' fourth away victory.

© 2022 AFP