Ligue 1: Habib Bèye and Rennes start strong with a victory over OM | OneFootball

Down to ten men, Rennes topple Olympique de Marseille at the start of the season.

Rennes 1-0 Marseille / Ligue 1

Stade Rennais kicked off their Ligue 1 campaign with a bang, defeating Olympique de Marseille (1-0) on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Roazhon Park. Reduced to ten men as early as the 31st minute, Rennes clinched a dramatic win thanks to a decisive late goal.

Habib Bèye enjoyed a flawless debut to his 2025/26 Ligue 1 season. The Rennes head coach, who arrived in January, and his squad can savor this prestigious victory over a Marseille side that finished second in the league last season.

Marseille wasteful as Rennes capitalise despite being a man down

The match swung Marseille's way in the 30th minute when Abdelhamid Aït-Boudlal was sent off. The 19-year-old defender, making his first Ligue 1 start, received a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Murillo. This early dismissal forced Rennes to play with a numerical disadvantage for over an hour. Despite the setback, Bèye's men stood firm defensively.

Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda delivered several key saves to keep his team in the contest. Marseille struggled to make their extra man count. Mason Greenwood tried to spark danger with his pace and dribbling, but the England international failed to hit the target. Adrien Rabiot struck the post in the first half, in what was one of the few clear-cut chances for the Phocéens.

OM looked set for a hard-fought draw when Ludovic Blas appeared at the perfect moment. In the 90+1st minute, the Rennes striker latched onto a superb cross from Quentin Merlin and charged at World Cup winner Geronimo Rulli. One-on-one with the Marseille keeper, Ludovic Blas kept his cool and broke the deadlock with a clinical finish.

This victory sends a powerful message from Bèye's new-look Rennes. The Bretons proved they can compete with the league's elite, even in adversity. For Roberto De Zerbi's OM, this early setback raises questions about the team's ability to turn technical dominance into goals.