PLAYER RATINGS | Rennes 1-2 Marseille: Roberto De Zerbi’s Phocéens tighten grip on second place | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 17, 11/01/2025

Marseille have produced a morale-boosting comeback win at Rennes’ Roazhon Park, further staking their claim for a Champions League qualification. Arnaud Kalimuendo opened the scoring but Mason Greenwood and Adrien Rabiot turned the game on its head. Marseille close the gap to Ligue 1 leaders PSG to four points.

The Match

As Monaco and Lille dropped points against relegation-fighting sides, Marseille had a glorious opportunity to tighten their grip on second place in beating a struggling Rennes side led by forcer OM manager Jorge Sampaoli. The Argentine handed France international goalkeeper Brice Samba his home debut. The former RC Lens had close to little to do until the 20th minute when he parried away Adrien Rabiot’s rather tame attempt.

Marseille were dominating possession but Roberto De Zerbi’s side struggled to make it count as Rennes seemed content to sit back in a low block with bare minimum pressing. Rennes’ plan almost worked to perfection in the first half as they were handed a rather generous penalty for a handball from Panama international Amir Murillo. The reliable Arnaud Kalimuendo stepped up and drove a powerful effort on Geronimo Rulli’s right but the Argentine goalie guessed the right way and produced an outrageous save to parry the spot-kick on his post.

The France U21 international would redeem himself only minutes before half-time. Lorenz Assignon and Ludovic Blas worked their way on the right side to get the better of Derek Cornelius and the former found Kalimuendo whose first-time finish found Rulli’s bottom corner. Marseille were in no mood to enter half-time trailing. Former Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojberg cut open Rennes’ defense with a brilliant pass to Murillo. The Panama international only had to cross for Mason Greenwood for the English striker to restore parity with composure.

The former Manchester United Academy graduate made the difference again early on in the second half. He delivered his 14th goal contribution of the season – no Ligue 1 player has more – in threading a great left-footed cross towards Adrien Rabiot, who headed into Samba’s top left corner. The France international goalkeeper endeared himself to his new set of fans with a double save to deny Luis Henrique and Amir Murillo.

Rennes were handed a lifeline after referee Abdelhatif Kherradji overturned his decision to award Marseille a penalty following a handball from Albert Gronbaek, who handled his fellow Danish countryman’s free-kick. Eventually, Les Phocéens held on to three vital points to go five points clear of third-placed AS Monaco. OM have won six of their last seven games. Rennes concede back-to-back defeats and remain in 13th place.

Rennes Player Ratings

Brice Samba – 6

Lorenz Assignon – 5

The former Burnley right-back showed two sides of the same coin tonight. His attacking output contributed to Kalimuendo’s opener in the first half. Unfortunately, he then failed to track Adrien Rabiot’s move on his way to give Marseille the lead early in the second half.

Hans Hateboer – 4

Christopher Wooh – 5

Leo Østigard – 4

Adrien Truffert – 4

Azor Matusiwa – 5

Ludovic Blas – 4

Jordan James – 4

Arnaud Kalimuendo – 5

The France U21 international missed two glorious chances to open the scoring, notably when Geronimo Rulli outstretched himself to parry his spot-kick. To his credit, he kept his chin up and did not miss his third big chance, applying a first-time finish past the Argentine goalie before half-time. Surprisingly, he didn’t emerge for the second half with Seko Fofana replacing him.

Amine Gouiri – 3

Marseille Player Ratings

Geronimo Rulli – 7

The Argentine goalkeeper stepped up big time in parrying Arnaud Kalimuendo’s penalty kick with an outrageous save. The former Villarreal goalie saved the three penalties he has faced this season. Rulli may just be the best Ligue 1 goalkeeper right now and is arguably the best signing from last summer.

Amir Murillo – 5

Leonardo Balerdi – 6

Derek Cornelius – 6

Luis Henrique – 5

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 6

Valentin Rongier – 5

Quentin Merlin – 5

Adrien Rabiot – 6

Mason Greenwood – 7

When Marseille needed it most, Mason Greenwood stepped up to restore parity seconds before half-time, thus switching the momentum well in their favor after Rennes had opened the scoring against the run of play. The Manchester United Academy graduate has gone level with Jonathan David at the top of Ligue 1’s goalscoring charts. But no Ligue 1 player is more decisive than him. He registered his 14th goal contribution thanks to his excellent left-footed cross towards Rabiot.

Neal Maupay – 4

GFFN | Bastien Cheval, reporting from Rennes’ Roazhon Park