Disappointing, Stade Rennais will not defend its title in the Coupe de France

• Winner of the Coupe de la France last year, Stade Rennais will not be able to defend its title against PSG at Stade de France.
• Never really returned to their match, the Bretons bowed at the last minute to Geoffroy-Guichard, against AS Saint-Etienne (2-1).
• The Rennais will now refocus on Ligue 1 with their sights set on third place qualifying for the LDC.

At the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium (Saint-Etienne),

There will ultimately be no pass of two or revenge against PSG. Stade Rennais, which we thought was almost invincible in competition, ended up falling for the first time in the Coupe de France since the arrival of Julien Stéphan in December 2018. As we were quietly moving towards the extra time, Riyad Boudebouz, who entered ten minutes earlier, endorsed the hero's panoply by scoring the goal of qualification for ASSE (2-1), after additional time.

[@French Cup]

Thank you to the supporters present yesterday in Saint-Etienne. Thank you also to all those who, in Rennes and elsewhere, have followed the path of the title holder. 🙌 # AllezRennes # ToutDonner 💪🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/RhXZJzmsGr

A cruel scenario for the Red and Black but a rather deserved success for the Greens, sharper, more voluntary and more combative during most of the match. Curiously, Stade Rennais never seemed to get into its match and often played with purring, leaving the initiative to the Stéphanois. Apart from Nzonzi, precious and fair in his transmissions, and to a lesser degree M'Baye Niang, who had the merit of transforming his penalty, before passing very close to the double on the return from the locker room (51st), most players have evolved a notch below their usual benefits.

The head of Da Silva next, first turn of the match

However, the Rennes believed they had succeeded in the perfect hold-up by opening the scoring on a penalty from Niang following a foul by Saliba on Raphinha (0-1, 33rd). Unfortunately for them, the Britons missed the boat in the last five minutes of the first half, a period that could have been the turning point of the match. In the 40th minute, Bourigeaud thus deposited a superb free kick brushed from the right side, for the diving head of Da Silva passed just next to the Stéphane post.

And two minutes later, Kolodziejczak, recipient of a perfect pass from Diony, did not miss his back which made the two teams tied. Result of the races: going from a potential advantage 2-0 to 1-1, the SRFC had just missed its chance. An observation also shared by Julien Stéphan: "I think it could have changed a lot," he said in a post-match press conference.

"We did not let go as I could have imagined", regrets Stéphan

After the break, the Reds and Blacks were more dangerous, in particular through Niang and Bourigeaud. But with an almost harmless Del Castillo and a too rough Raphinha in his attempts, it is difficult to bring danger to the cage of Jessy Moulin. Ultimately , despite this winning goal scored in extremis, most Rennais agree, ASSE did not steal his qualification.

"I will admit that we did not have the match that we imagined," admitted Julien Stéphan, adding "that this Saint-Etienne team certainly deserved their qualification more than we did tonight". The Rennes coach also "felt [his] team a little bit inhibited by the issue" and lets emerge some regrets: "We did not let go as I could have imagined, especially in the offensive field, where we used to create more things, create more movements. "The defender Joris Gnagnon, little in verve this Thursday, abounds:" Saint-Etienne suffocated us, they had a lot of the ball. "

LOSC on the hunt but watch out for OL for third place

With only one competition to compete in from now on, Ligue 1, the end-of-season objectives in any case become very clear for the Breton club. "Now the most important meeting is Montpellier (Sunday) and the championship," says Joris Gagnon. Confirmation from Julien Stéphan: “The season is not over, we still have some great things to do in this championship. We have important deadlines coming. We have to remobilize very quickly and start from the front. "

The course ends there in the Coupe de France for the Rennais. Target championship now with the reception of Montpellier Sunday. #ASSESRFC 2-1 pic.twitter.com/SEAvqvyZKQ

If OM seem to have a substantial mattress to keep their second place, third place at Stade Rennais is hanging by a thread with the LOSC chasing a point behind. But its main competitor at the end of the season may well be OL, which is still six points behind but is currently in full revival. The fight promises to be exciting!

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