For its part, AJA remains on a series of six matches without defeat, four draws and two victories over Lyon (2-1) and Lorient (1-0), and temporarily leaves the relegation zone (16th) in waiting for Sunday’s matches and before now facing Strasbourg and Troyes, two direct competitors.
Deprived of Jérémy Doku, Rennes was quite timid in the first period, especially against a cautious opponent at the start of the game, who later became more dynamic.
The Auxerrois could have opened the scoring on a recovery from Gauthier Hein hitting the crossbar (17) before he shot just wide (25).
Rennes reacted in the second half
Totally under the control of AJA who however really lacked presence in the finishing zone during the first act, the Rennais knew how to react in the second.
The entries at the break of Birger Meling and Flavien Tait in place of Djed Spence and Arnaud Kalimuendo have indeed made the Bretons more dynamic even if they have remained harmless with regard to their rate of possession (68.5%).
A good long shot from Baptiste Santamaria pushed goalkeeper Andrei Radu to the save (55) who also stopped an attempt by Lovro Majer (58). A shot from Amine Gouiri also narrowly missed (62).
