After three defeats in a row – L1 and European Cup combined – Rennes returned to winning ways this Thursday in the Europa League.
It was at the expense of Panathinaikos – the executioner of OM in the third preliminary round of the Champions League this summer – that Stade Rennais relaunched this Thursday evening in Piraeus. Beaten consecutively by Villarreal, Paris and Lorient, the Breton club rectified the situation in the framework of the Europa League. With confidence.
Sometimes pushed around by their Greek hosts, Genesio’s men were able to make their task easier by quickly finding the fault – through Gouiri, on a nice cross from Le Fée (0-1, 7e) – then by making the break at the start of the second half thanks to Kalimuendo, then served by a Rieder just launched into the battle (0-2, 50e).
Rennes leader
The last half hour was more complicated for the visitors, who through Assignon conceded a penalty, transformed by Ioannidis (1-2, 61e). Like this crossbar struck by Pana in added time (90e+5). Building on this success, Rennes takes control of its Europa League group, ahead of its opponent of the day and while Villarreal’s match against Maccabi Haifa has been postponed until early December. A leadership that will have to be established in two weeks at home against these same Greeks.
