PLAYER RATINGS | Rennes 1-2 Brest: Pirates take Brittany bragging rights before Champions League game against Shakhtar

Ligue 1 McDonalds, Round 18, 17/01/2025

Goals from Hugo Magnetti and Ludovic Ajorque hand Brest the Brittany Derby win against Jorge Sampaoli’s Les Rouge et Noir. Rennes concede a fourth straight defeat in all competitions which further weakens Jorge Sampaoli’s position.

The Match

Most of the early action was set not on the pitch but off it as home fans hung several banners lambasting Stade Rennais, whose wretched start of the season put them in 14th place in the Ligue 1 standings and already out of the Coupe de France. Still, Rennes were the most threatening side in the first half. Lorenz Assignon went inches away from opening the scoring after great footwork down Brest’s left channel.

As they often do before their Champions League game, Brest felt slow to get going, and Rennes were left to rue the chances they missed to make them pay for it. Arnaud Kalimuendo headed away a Brest corner kick at the near post for Edimilson Fernandes to pass the ball outside the penalty box for Hugo Magnetti. The midfielder struck a powerful and precise effort down Brice Samba’s bottom left corner. The France international goalie conceded on the Pirates’ first shot on target.

The visitors’ goal looked to have already broken the hosts’ resolve like it did when Rennes barely rebelled when Marseille’s Adrien Rabiot turned last week’s game on its head. Just before half-time, Wales international Jordan James saw his deflected effort rattled by Marco Bizot’s crossbar.

Early in the second half, the visitors missed a glorious opportunity to double their lead. Mama Baldé sped through Adrien Truffert and dribbled past Hans Hateboer but Samba denied him from close range although the former Lyon striker could, and should, have passed the ball to Ludovic Ajorque. The France international would rightly take the blame for Brest’s second goal though. His mediocre clearance could only find Luck Zogbé, who immediately fed substitute Abdallah Sima. The Brighton loanee’s cross for Ajorque was perfect and Brest looked in top shape with twenty minutes to spare.

To their credit, Rennes rallied this time with nothing more to lose and a fourth straight defeat looming large. Mahdi Camara missed the ball and substitute Amine Gouiri passed to Ludovic Blas, whose well-taken left-foot shot thwarted Bizot on his right. Les Rouge et Noir had several opportunities to restore parity but their final ball left much to be desired as Sampaoli collapsed to the ground in despair when a tame shot from Gouiri was comfortably caught by Bizot.

Rennes would not restore parity and lose for a straight game in a row. A serious crisis looms for Les Rouge et Noir.

Rennes Player Ratings

Brice Samba – 4

The former Nottingham Forest and Lens goalie won’t escape scrutiny because, for the second time this week after Rennes’ Coupe de France exit against Troyes, his poor distribution led to a goal. Although it would be harsh to blame him for Magnetti’s opener, he nevertheless conceded from Brest’s first shot on target.

Lorenz Assignon – 4

Hans Hateboer – 4

Christopher Wooh – 4

Leo Ostigard – 3

Adrien Truffert – 3

Azor Matusiwa – 3

Jordan James – 4

Seko Fofana – 4

The former GFFN 100 winner looks the shadow of the player he was at Lens eighteen months ago. The former Al-Nassr and Al-Ettifaq midfielder looks uncomfortable playing on the left wing, prompting Sampaoli to hook James for a left-winger in Amine Gouiri at the hour mark. Booked for a cynical foul on Zogbé.

Ludovic Blas – 5

Arnaud Kalimuendo – 2

Brest Player Ratings

Marco Bizot – 6

The Dutch goalkeeper has been solid throughout the game with a couple of saves to frustrate Rennes, including a world-class save to prevent Wooh’s header from going in.

Kenny Lala – 5

Brendan Chardonnet – 6

Abdoulaye Ndiaye – 6

Luck Zogbe – 5

Edimilson Fernandes – 5

Hugo Magnetti – 6

Mahdi Camara – 5

Kamory Doumbia – 5

Mama Baldé – 4

Ludovic Ajorque – 6

The centre-forward was again a pest to defend and a reliable outlet thanks to his hold-up play. He was justly rewarded with the goal that would be Brest’s winner.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval, reporting from Rennes’ Roazhon Park