Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Day 18, 01/17/2025
Goals from Hugo Magnetti and Ludovic Ajorque gave Brest victory in the Brittany Derby against Jorge Sampaoli’s team, The Red and Black. Rennes records a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions, thus worsening Jorge Sampaoli’s situation.
The Match
The majority of action in the opening moments took place off the field, with home fans displaying several disapproving banners against Stade Rennais, whose disastrous start to the season places them in 14th position in the Ligue 1 table and the has already eliminated from the Coupe de France. Despite everything, Rennes were the more threatening team in the first half. Lorenz Assignon came close to opening the scoring after a magnificent action on the left flank of Brest.
As is often the case before their Champions League matches, Brest struggled to get into the match, leaving Rennes to regret the missed opportunities to punish this timid start. Arnaud Kalimuendo cleared a Brest corner at the near post, allowing Edimilson Fernandes to pass the ball to Hugo Magnetti outside the area. The latter shot with power and precision into the lower left corner of Brice Samba’s goal. The French international goalkeeper conceded the goal with the Pirates’ first shot on target.
The visitors’ goal seemed to have already weakened the home side’s resistance, as was the case during the meeting with Marseille, when Adrien Rabiot turned the situation around. Just before half-time, Welshman Jordan James saw his deflected attempt hit the crossbar, saving Brest on this occasion.
From the start of the second half, the visitors missed a great opportunity to double their lead. Mama Baldé slipped between Adrien Truffert and Hans Hateboer, but Samba blocked his shot from close range, while the former Lyon striker should have sent a pass to Ludovic Ajorque. The latter, however, was at the origin of the second goal for Brest. His poor clearance attempt landed directly at the feet of Luck Zogbé, who quickly served substitute Abdallah Sima. The latter’s cross for Ajorque was perfect, and Brest were feeling in fine form with twenty minutes to play.
To their credit, Rennes responded, having nothing left to lose and seeing the fourth defeat in a row looming. Mahdi Camara missed the ball and substitute Amine Gouiri passed to Ludovic Blas, whose left-footed shot found Marco Bizot on his right. The Red and Black had several chances to come back, but their final moves left something to be desired, while Sampaoli dropped to the ground in despair when Gouiri’s weak shot was easily collected by Bizot.
Rennes failed to equalize and recorded a consecutive defeat. A serious crisis is looming for The Red and Black.
Rennes Player Evaluation
Brice Samba – 4
The goalkeeper, formerly of Nottingham Forest and Lens, will not be able to escape criticism because, for the second time this week after the elimination of Rennes in the Coupe de France against Troyes, his poor distribution led to a goal. Although it is against all odds difficult to blame him for Magnetti’s first goal, he conceded on 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
Fofana School – 4
The previous winner of the GFFN 100 seems to be a shadow of the player he was in Lens eighteen months ago. The midfielder, formerly of Al-Nassr and Al-Ettifaq, seemed uncomfortable in the left winger position, leading Sampaoli to replace him with Amine Gouiri in the 60th minute. He received a card for a cynical foul on Zogbé.
-Ludovic Blas – 5
Arnaud Kalimuendo – 3
Brest Player Rating
Marco Bizot – 6
The Dutch goalkeeper was solid throughout the match with several saves to frustrate Rennes, including an exceptional save to prevent a Wooh header.
Kenny Lala – 5
Brendan Chardonnet – 6
Abdoulaye Ndiaye – 6
Luck Zogbe – 6
Edimilson Fernandes – 5
Hugo Magnetti – 6
Mahdi Camara – 6
Kamory Doumbia – 5
Mama Balde – 4
Ludovic Ajorque – 6
The striker was once again a nightmare for the opposing defense and a reliable asset thanks to his protective play. He was rightly rewarded with the goal which allowed Brest to win.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval, reporting from Roazhon Park in Rennes
Overall, this match highlights the difficulties encountered by Rennes at the start of the season, while highlighting Brest’s offensive efficiency. This context raises questions about Rennes’ ability to bounce back and the necessary adjustments, both tactical and human, to avoid getting bogged down in the crisis. What direction would you like to see the Sampaoli team take?
Our editors use AI to help them deliver fresh items from trusted sources to our users. If you find any image or content that is inappropriate, please contact us via DMCA form and we will promptly remove it. / Our editors use AI to help them offer our readers fresh articles from reliable sources. If you find an image or content inappropriate, please contact us via the DMCA form and we’ll remove it promptly.
- --
