Sylvain Marveaux's speed caused many problems for an out-of-synch GdB defense
Bordeaux entered Saturday evening’s match having won seven straight away fixtures. But two poor draws in their last three outings left coach Laurent Blanc with some cause for concern, especially with the pesky Montpellier having already won their match against Boulogne earlier in the day.
But the outcome at the Stade de la Route de Lorient would leave Blanc with only greater anxiety. His squad, despite spending most of the match on the attack, would show significant vulnerability in the back against an agile, speedy Rennes club. Conceding four goals in all, the match was arguably GdB’s worst defensive performance since their elimination from the UEFA Cup last February to Galatasaray.
In the fourth minute the home side would begin their scoring. Ismaël Bangoura picked up a turnover in his own half and pushed it on to Jimmy Briand to ignite a quick counterattack down the right side. With the entire middle of the pitch open, the forward crossed it into the middle for a speeding Sylvain Marveaux. Cedric Carrasso would be left alone with the dangerous winger, who coolly slid the ball into the right side of goal.
Rod Fanni offered a cross from the right flank minutes later, looking for Briand. He didn’t find him but nevertheless showed that GdB’s defense was out of sorts.
In the 17th minute Marveaux would continue his onslaught, being taken down by Jaroslav Plasil in the box. Briand pounded the penalty to his right to secure an emphatic two goal lead for Rennes.
The Rennes attack would continue to impress, led by the intelligent play of Jeremy Leroy, who would find Bangoura on the left wing with space. After a few step over a decent shot was punched away by Carrasso.
Bordeaux would settle play down to maintain more possession in the Rennes half, plotting their attack. A nice turn from Plasil had the winger moving to his left to send in a shot on goal. Nicolas Douchez managed to just get a hand on the ball from 14 yards out and Yoan Gouffran was unable to chip the rebound in.
A Gourcuff free kick from 20 yards would present more danger, but Douchez kept his composure to knock it out of play. His positioning on the following corner as well another Gouffran effort less than a minute later confirmed the keeper was in top form.
Benoit Trémoulinas would continue the attack for GdB, crossing the ball in to Marouane Chamakh, but the big man’s header would lack the required power and Rennes would escape the half with their lead intact.
Les Rouges et Noirs would start the second half like they started the first. 3 minutes in, Bangoura would receive a lovely pass from Leroy and on his first touch the Guinean would smack a hard shot past a diving Carrasso. An incredible three goal lead.
On 58 minutes Bangoura would turn into distributor, moving the ball forward to Marveaux, who once again showed tremendous speed to get on the ball. With two teammates coming onto the play Marveaux would have been wise to send a pass back. Instead he tried a shot from the tightest of angles, and the ball skidded past goal.
GdB’s short passing game would yield little as far as real chances were concerned, leaving the visitors resorting to lofting long balls forward.
In typical Bordeaux fashion, their best opportunities would come from set pieces. Gouffran would score the club’s first goal from a glancing header, after a free kick from the right side was whipped into the box in the 64th minute.
A reckless tackle from Petter Hansson on Gourcuff would result in yet another free kick five minutes later that led to a quick second goal. Wendel struck a beautiful, curling shot over the wall that left Douchez motionless.
Bordeaux would maintain pressure, particularly testing the left side of Rennes’ defense. But the home squad maintained their shape and—more importantly—resisted commiting costly fouls in the attacking third.
Leroy would once again prove deadly in midfield for Rennes to seal the victory. In the 78th minute he would take possession from Bordeaux and quickly move the ball forward for Asamoah Gyan, who had just entered the match. Gyan would shuffle past Plasil and send in a curling shot at the top of the arch that Carrasso could not keep out of the net.
A wonderful victory for Rennes, who have for the moment moved up to seventh position in the Ligue Un table. For Bordeaux, their lead over Montpellier has slipped to only three points.
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