PLAYER RATINGS | Rennes 2-1 Nantes: Habib Beye clinch first Brittany Derby win | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 30, 18/04/25

Rennes left it late, but the hosts eventually came away winners out of the Brittany Derby against bitter rivals Nantes. Adrien Truffert and Kader Meïté scored for the hosts. Mostafa Mohamed restored parity early in the second half.

The Match

Two weeks after their last Ligue 1 game – as their home match against PSG has been postponed to accommodate Les Parisiens in their Champions League campaign – Nantes were back into action in enemy territory at Rennes’ Roazhon Park. The hosts were out for revenge after losing the reverse fixture in the dying minute, which prompted then-head coach Jorge Sampaoli to lose his temper and receive a straight red card.

With Habib Beye in the dugout, Rennes’ fortunes greatly improved, so much so that Les Rouge et Noir were now away from the relegation zone, unlike Nantes. Les Canaris remain in a precarious situation and also error-prone. A loose backpass from Kelvin Amian was exploited by Musa Al-Tamari, who was brought to the ground by Anthony Lopes, leaving Abdelatif Kherradji no choice but to point to the spot. Arnaud Kalimuendo stepped up, found the back of the net but the referee chalked off his goal as the France U21 international double-tapped his shot!

Nantes were on the ropes as Rennes turned up the heat. Lopes did great to delay the inevitable with a good double save to deny Seko Fofana from long range and then Kalimuendo on the rebound, but there was little he could do to prevent Adrien Truffert’s shot from going off the post and in, sending Roazhon Park into rapture at the same time the Nantes fans were allowed to enter the away end.

Rennes pinned Nantes in their half with ease, given that the visitors struggled to retain possession for a significant time. Nantes looked devoid of ideas, as if they were playing football for the first time together. Sorba Thoma also might have played his final game for Nantes, given the ruthlessness with which Antoine Kombouaré hooked him off at the 33rd minute, at the same time Patrik Calgren replaced the injured Lopes. It must be said the Huddersfield Town loanee has been poor, and dribbled past way too easily by Truffert before the latter scored.

Against the run of play, Nantes eventually restored parity. Louis Leroux’s cross did not feel dangerous at first, but Mostafa Mohamed showed great instinct and skill to put the ball down, right in front of Lilian Brassier, before finding Brice Samba’s bottom corner. But Nantes continued to make matters difficult for themselves. Marcus Coco, who had replaced Sorba Thomas in the second half, was given his marching orders after elbowing Truffert in the face.

Despite the advantage in numbers and the introduction of fresh legs, Rennes badly struggled to carve open Nantes’ defense. Anthony Rouault went close with a header, but substitute goalie Carlgren was virtually untested. The game’s decisive moment came at the 87th-minute, with Truffert whipping a precise cross from the left. Substitute Kader Meïté rose the highest and his header crossed the line, despite Carlgren’s best effort. As the striker wheeled away to celebrate, the ref stood still, allowing the game to play, which allowed Lorenz Assignon to finish the job. Nantes players were furious, but in vain, as replay showed Meïté’s goal was valid. Rennes are now close 10th whilst Nantes still need to grind out results to reach safety.

Rennes player ratings

Brice Samba – 5

Jérémy Jacquet – 5

Anthony Rouault – 6

The former VfB Stuttagrt centre-back looks more and more at ease, providing many precise long balls to his teammates and keeping things tidy in his penalty box.

Lilian Brassier – 4

Lorenz Assignon – 6

Azor Matusiwa – 5

Seko Fofana – 6

Djaoui Cissé – 6

The 21-year-old has been the game’s best midfielder. He recovered countless balls, won duels and always offered a solution to his teammates. Another Rennes Academy product to keep an eye on.

Adrien Truffert – 7

The Derby’s difference-maker, simple as. He scored the opener and assisted Meïté for the winner. Against his will, he was elbowed by Marcus Coco, which promted the Nantes wingback to receive a red card.

Arnaud Kalimuendo – 4

Mousa Al-Tamari – 4

Selected Nantes player ratings

Sorba Thomas – N/A

Where do we even start here? The Huddersfield Town winger was given no favours by Antoine Kombouaré as he was fielded as a wing-back. He had no influence in going forward and Truffert breezed past him for the opener. Kombouaré saw enough and hooked him off at the 33rd minute. Furious, the Wales international made sure not to acknowledge his coach and had to be shown the way to the tunnel by Pedro Chirivella.

Moses Simon – 3

Mostafa Mohamed – 6

GFFN | Bastien Cheval