PLAYER RATINGS | Rennes 1-0 Marseille – Blas strikes late as 10-man Rennes stun Marseille on Ligue 1 opening night | OneFootball

Ligue 1’s opening evening finally came after a summer of build-up and some smart recruitments for both Olympique de Marseille and Stade Rennais. Two of the Breton side’s starting XI would be former OM players only several weeks ago, with Valentin Rongier lining up against his former side with the captain’s armband.

The evening started with the expected amount of intensity, with Les Olympiens pressing high up the pitch but Rennes creating the most chances by pouncing off mistakes from passing out the back from Marseille. It was relentless from both sides, but the alchemy of the game would be vastly changed after Rennes defender Abdelhamid Ait-Boudlal was sent off for a reckless challenge of Michael Amir Murillo.

Just before the half-time whistle, Adrien Rabiot would get close to scoring with a drilled long-range strike from outside the box. Roberto De Zerbi would make the first change of the evening as Timothy Weah came on to make his return to Ligue 1 at half-time – this time in a Marseille shirt. Les Phocéens expectedly dominated the ball on their return to the pitch, and the first big chance came when the American whipped a ball for Murillo to head the ball against the right post just before the hour-mark. Geronimo Rulli had to be attentive after several stops in the first half, this time pouncing low to save from Mousa Al-Tamari’s driven effort at goal.

Marseille were no closer to opening the scoring, as De Zerbi rolled the dice once more and sent on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – marking a return to Ligue 1 action for the Gabon international. From a corner that followed, Balerdi’s close range volley was aimed straight at Samba, who saved easily. With Rennes retreating into a low block, the wings would become more important as the game entered the final 20 minutes.

Marseille had been implementing a high line throughout the whole match, and it would become the unsticking moment for Les Olympiens as former OM man Quentin Merlin thread through Ludovic Blas on goal. The substitute, only seconds after coming on, slotted home to spark wild scenes as Rennes claimed what was an unlikely three points with only 10-men in the most dramatic of circumstances.

STADE RENNAIS PLAYER RATINGS

Brice Samba – 5

Przemysław Frankowski – 5

Anthony Rouault – 5

Jeremy Jacquet – 6

The 20 year-old is living up to his label as the next big talent at Rennes. He was at ease with the ball at his feet, but also read the game really well and had a great sense of positioning. The Frenchman also had a commanding presence – a really positive start to the season for the youngster.

Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal – 4 (Red Card)

Quentin Merlin – 6A difficult opening game to come into, playing against the club you represented only a month ago, but Merlin put in a solid performance for his first game in Red and Black. He helped to nulify the attacking runs made by Mason Greenwood and topped it all off with an well-timed floated ball to assist Ludovic Blas’s late strike.

Valentin Rongier – 5Seko Fofana – 5

Fabian Rieder – 5

Kader Méïté – 5

Moussa Al Tamari – 6

OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE

Geronimo Rulli – 6

Michael Amir Murillo – 5

CJ Egan-Riley – 6

A promising debut in Ligue 1 for the Englishman, who was calm and composed under pressure after being thrust into the side due to Facundo Medina’s suspension. His passing out of the back was done with intention and with speed, and he was well positioned to react to Rennes’ counter attack, with a last minute intervention in the first half to stop Al-Tamari from going through on goal – repeating the feat in the second half. He was, however, part of OM’s high line that wasn’t in shape for Ludovic Blas’s goal in added time.

Leonardo Balerdi – 5

Geoffrey Kondogbia – 5

Ulisses Garcia – 5

Angel Gomes – 5

A mixed first start for Marseille for Gomes, who was at his best in the first half and opening periods of the game with his link-up play – he will clearly be a key cog in this De Zerbi side. Yet during the second period, the Englishman couldn’t find the final key pass. Tidy, but lacking that killer edge.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 5

Adrien Rabiot – 5

Amine Gouiri – 4

Jonathan Rowe – 4

A frustrating match for Rowe, who found himself in the best positions to strike on goal or drive at the Rennes defence. He shone during pre-season and was energetic, but the Englishman just lacked the final finishing touch – and was justifiably swapped for Aubameyang in the second period.

Mason Greenwood – 3

He was in form during pre-season, but it amounted to very little on Ligue 1’s opening night. The Englishman couldn’t find the space, and tried too hard to dribble past the Rennes defence (he was albeit well-tracked). As OM went on in the second half period, it was more and more frustrating to see the winger become one-dimensional, cutting inside and seeing most of his strikes blocked or going wide. If he is to be Marseille’s main man this season, much more is needed from Greenwood.

GFFN | George Boxall