PLAYER RATINGS | Rennes 2-0 Marseille: Martin Terrier scores 50th club goal to end Phocéens’ winning streak | OneFootball

On the back of their nail-biting qualification for the Europa League quarter-finals – where they will face SL Benfica – Olympique de Marseille were on the hunt for a fourth consecutive Ligue 1 win. Les Phocéens look reborn under the guidance of veteran coach Jean-Louis Gasset and this away game at Rennes’ Roazhon Park had all the attributes of a litmus test.

With former Rennes and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy watching from the stands, it proved to be as Les Rouge et Noir dominated the early exchanges. Pau Lopez was alert to thwart a powerful left-footed effort from Ludovic Blas. Minutes later, Rennes cut through their opponents’ defense with ease for Martin Terrier to lash a low shot past Lopez – his 50th goal for Stade Rennais. Marseille retorted with the on-fire Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang squeezing a first post shot for Steve Mandanda to parry away.

The visitors struggled to break a near-flawless defense with notably Warmed Omari and Adrien Truffert putting in fine performances, preventing Ismaïla Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye making a significant impact on the proceedings. As for Rennes, there was a strong case to be made about this being their best first half in ages against a top Ligue 1 side.

The second half was way more end-to-end stuff with Les Phocéens still probing for an opening and Rennes enjoying less of the ball and further away from Lopez’s goal. Aubameyang’s free-kick found the post before substitute Faris Moumbagna made a mess of the rebound.

Marseille then conceded a penalty with Bamo Méïté making contact with the impeccable Truffert in his box. Benjamin Bourigeaud stepped up and made no mistake from the spot. Gasset’s winning Ligue 1 streak at the helm of Marseille was put to a halt before the international break. Rennes’ win also had implications at the top with now both clubs locked in with 39 points each just outside the European spots.

Rennes players ratings

Steve Mandanda, 6

Guéla Doué, 6

Warmed Omari, 7

A coming-of-age performance for the 24-year-old youth product, dealing expertly with the threat of Aubameyang and displaying his composure and ease at playing from the back.

Christopher Wooh, 6

Adrien Truffert, 7

An excellent performance from the France international. He was faultless in dealing with Sarr and provided a reliable outlet down the left flank. One of his rampant runs ended with the penalty buried by Bourigeaud.

Ludovic Blas, 6

Benjamin Bourigeaud, 7

Baptiste Santamaria, 6

Amine Gouiri, 6

Martin Terrier, 7

He only needed one goal-scoring opportunity to find the back of the net, like excellent strikers do. His well-taken low effort past Lopez after a brilliant run in the box marked his sixth goal in his last eight Ligue 1 starts.

Arnaud Kalimuendo, 4

Marseille players ratings

Pau Lopez, 6

Jonathan Clauss, 4

Chancel Mbemba, 4

Bamo Méïté, 3

In the unexpected absence of Leonardo Balerdi, the Ivorian centre-back was thrown in the mix and his performance won’t change Gasset’s pecking order at the back. He conceded the penalty that put Rennes out of sight.

Quentin Merlin, 5

Geoffrey Kondogbia, 4

Pape Gueye, 4

Amine Harit, 4

Ismaïla Sarr, 4

Iliman Ndiaye, 4

In his favored playmaker role behind Aubameyang and Sarr, the former Sheffield United player was a hard man to find and created little danger for Mandanda. Replaced after the hour mark by Faris Moumbagna.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 5

The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker cut a lonely figure at the Roazhon Park. With Marseille’s attacking style heavily reliant on him, the Gabonese put in a tireless shift, but it was not to be for him today. His defensive output was decent.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval