The clash between European suitors turned to the advantage of Lens, which regained second place in the championship at OM thanks to a third consecutive victory on the lawn of Rennes on Saturday evening (1-0).
The victory against PSG before the international break is only the tree that hides the forest for the Rennais. Fifth in the standings before the start of the 29th day of Ligue 1, Rennes lost big on their lawn by losing to Lens at Roazhon Park (1-0).
A new setback for the Bretons, still 5th, who remain under threat from Lille before the Dogues match against Lorient on Sunday. Conversely, Lens achieved the big blow of the weekend, pushing their opponent to ten points and taking second place in Marseille, held in check by Montpellier on Friday (1-1).
>> Relive Rennes-Lens
Shocks and a new shine from Openda
Bruno Genesio wanted to see a better face of his team in front of his home crowd after having had “a good discussion” with his staff. And the Rennais showed an aggressiveness sometimes at the limit on certain interventions in the feet of Florian Sotoca or Seko Fofana. Not enough to disturb the ambitions of the Sang & Or, on a mission to regain the place of dolphin of the PSG.
On fire in recent weeks, Loïs Openda has shown the way to his teammates by opening the scoring at half an hour after good work – and a caviar – from Sotoca on the right side. The Belgian’s 15th goal in Ligue 1 and a just reward for the Lensois, much more dangerous than their opponents. Stunned, the Bretons started the second after the opener. Benjamin Bourigeaud thought he would capsize Roazhon Park on a cross from Kalimuendo, but his recovery hit the bar.
The beautiful Lensoise series continues
On their way, Franck Haise’s players only came a few centimeters away from killing all suspense. On a new Openda wafer, Fofana took the second goal from Angelo Fulgini, yet much better placed than his captain to regain the leather. A free warning for Rennes, who tried to deceive the vigilance of Brice Samba, imperial in his goals against Karl Toko-Ekambi and Arnaud Kalimuendo.
Dangerous from set pieces, the Bretons pushed against a Lensoise defense well in place and difficult to deceive. The only time Rennes managed to do so, Omari’s goal was disallowed for a logical offside. With this victory, Lens confirms that it is at ease in Brittany, where it has remained undefeated since 2015.
But above all, Lens strikes a very big blow with a view to European qualification, with ten points ahead of 5th place, qualifying for the Europa League Conference. Double blow: the Sang & Or pass in front of Marseille thanks to a better goal difference (+27 against +25). Enough to maintain sweet dreams of the Champions League nine days before the end of the championship. Especially since the menu promises to be tempting in the coming weeks (Strasbourg, PSG, Monaco, Marseille).
