Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 17, 11/01/2025
Marseille have produced a morale-boosting comeback win at Rennes’ Roazhon Park, additional staking their declare for a Champions League qualification. Arnaud Kalimuendo opened the scoring however Mason Greenwood and Adrien Rabiot turned the sport on its head. Marseille shut the hole to Ligue 1 leaders PSG to 4 factors.
The Match
As Monaco and dropped factors in opposition to relegation-fighting sides, Marseille had an excellent alternative to tighten their grip on second place in beating a struggling Rennes aspect led by forcer OM supervisor Jorge Sampaoli. The Argentine handed his dwelling debut. The previous RC Lens had near little to do till the twentieth minute when he parried away Adrien Rabiot’s reasonably tame try.
Marseille had been dominating possession however Roberto De Zerbi’s aspect struggled to make it depend as Rennes appeared content material to take a seat again in a low block with naked minimal urgent. Rennes’ plan virtually labored to perfection within the first half as they had been handed a reasonably beneficiant penalty for a handball from Panama worldwide Amir Murillo. The dependable Arnaud Kalimuendo stepped up and drove a strong effort on Geronimo Rulli’s proper however the Argentine goalie guessed the proper approach and produced an outrageous save to parry the spot-kick on his put up.
The France U21 worldwide would redeem himself solely minutes earlier than half-time. Lorenz Assignon and Ludovic Blas labored their approach on the proper aspect to get the higher of Derek Cornelius and the previous discovered Kalimuendo whose first-time end discovered Rulli’s backside nook. Marseille had been in no temper to enter half-time trailing. Former Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojberg reduce open Rennes’ protection with an excellent move to Murillo. The Panama worldwide solely needed to cross for Mason Greenwood for the English striker to revive parity with composure.
The previous Manchester United Academy graduate made the distinction once more early on within the second half. He delivered his 14th aim contribution of the season – no Ligue 1 participant has extra – in threading an awesome left-footed cross in direction of Adrien Rabiot, who headed into Samba’s prime left nook. The France worldwide goalkeeper endeared himself to his new set of followers with a double save to disclaim Luis Henrique and Amir Murillo.
Rennes had been handed a lifeline after referee Abdelhatif Kherradji overturned his choice to award Marseille a penalty following a handball from Albert Gronbaek, who dealt with his fellow Danish countryman’s free-kick. Ultimately, Les Phocéens held on to a few very important factors to go 5 factors away from third-placed AS Monaco. OM have gained six of their final seven video games. Rennes concede back-to-back defeats and stay in thirteenth place.
Rennes Participant Scores
Brice Samba – 6
Lorenz Assignon – 5
The previous Burnley right-back confirmed two sides of the identical coin tonight. His attacking output contributed to Kalimuendo’s opener within the first half. Sadly, he then failed to trace Adrien Rabiot’s transfer on his method to give Marseille the lead early within the second half.
Hans Hateboer – 5
Christopher Wooh – 5
Leo Østigard – 4
Adrien Truffert – 4
Azor Matusiwa – 5
Ludovic Blas – 4
Jordan James – 4
Arnaud Kalimuendo – 5
The France U21 worldwide missed two wonderful possibilities to open the scoring, notably when Geronimo Rulli outstretched himself to parry his spot-kick. To his credit score, he stored his chin up and didn’t miss his third massive likelihood, making use of a first-time end previous the Argentine goalie earlier than half-time. Surprisingly, he didn’t emerge for the second half with Seko Fofana changing him.
Amine Gouiri – 4
Marseille Participant Scores
Geronimo Rulli – 7
The Argentine goalkeeper stepped up massive time in parrying Arnaud Kalimuendo’s penalty kick with an outrageous save. The previous Villarreal goalie saved the three penalties he has confronted this season. Rulli may be the most effective Ligue 1 goalkeeper proper now and is arguably the most effective signing from final summer season.
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 wanted it most, Mason Greenwood stepped as much as restore parity seconds earlier than half-time, thus switching the momentum nicely of their favor after Rennes had opened the scoring in opposition to the run of play. The Manchester United Academy graduate has gone degree with Jonathan David on the prime of Ligue 1’s goalscoring charts. However no Ligue 1 participant is extra decisive than him. He registered his 14th aim contribution due to his glorious left-footed cross in direction of Rabiot.
Neal Maupay – 4
GFFN | Bastien Cheval, reporting from Rennes’ Roazhon Park