Rennes – Marseille (0-2): How the dynamics of the two teams were reversed at Roazhon Park

It was an evening with a European flavor, and for OM, their visit to an overexcited Roazhon Park may have reminded them of their drowning in the basin of the Kuip Stadion in Feyenoord, in the semi-final first leg of the Europa Conference League (2 -3). OM played the game they shouldn’t have against Rennes who played the game they wanted.

Before kick-off and after their disappointment in Nantes (1-2) still fresh in people’s minds, optimism was nevertheless more on the Olympian side, second with three lengths ahead of third (Monaco), while the Bretons were at six points after their fall in the derby. What to be taken by the doubt, especially since Rennes was particularly mediocre against its five competitors for Europe (from Marseille to Lens), with only four points taken in nine matches.

But where Rennes reversed the trend, Saturday evening at Roazhon Park, OM suffered from the same evils as during some of their recent disappointments. Sampaoli’s men thus had the ball more often (57% possession) than locals who were not used to leaving it to visitors, but despite a few rare situations, the Phocaeans did not target a single shot.

The « recurring evil » of OM

In the second period, apart from a burst from incoming Bamba Dieng, they even seemed absent, displaying the worn face that we had seen in the return match against Feyenoord (0-0) and against Lyon (0- 3). On an evening like this, we necessarily talk about the absence of Payet or a Milik nailed to the bench, but it would be forgotten that this same team has already managed to get by without its two point men. OM, on the other hand, have too often failed against teams cut for the top of the table. His last three defeats, before his Breton disappointment? Lyon (35th day), PSG (32nd day) and Monaco (27th day).

Rennes shared this shortcoming, but this OM suited them. Their last losses at home (Monaco, Nice, Lille), Martin Terrier and others had conceded them against wait-and-see opponents who had proceeded against. This time, the Britons took advantage of what Jorge Sampaoli described as « recurring evil« . »When we can’t impose our game, it creates a kind of disorder that the opponent manages to take advantage of.he analyzed. When many attackers project themselves, a bit like Feyenoord, we suffer all the more chances, and we have not managed to correct that during the season« .

Rennes adapted to the style of the visitors, accepting that OM held the ball more, and were much more reassuring defensively than usual, helped by the return of Nayef Aguerd, the pillar of their central defense, suspended in the last two meetings. « We put a block a little lowerexplained Genesio. We defended well, we were aggressive in all areas of the field and won most of the duels« . »We conceded almost no chances, which is rare this seasontook over the goleador Martin Terrier, double decisive passer on Saturday evening. It shows that disappointments this season have made us think« .

Rennes de Genesio looks like… OM de Bielsa

For this historic season (record of points and goals scored), Rennes, if it has flaws, above all has many virtues. « I’m very proud of the face we showed, faithful to what we did 95% of the time, especially at home, with an atmosphere that helped us again« , welcomed Genesio. Tonight, Roazhon Park has, indeed, still vibrated, « like a European Cup atmosphere« , noted Benjamin Bourigeaud, author of the opener in the 14th minute. Behind the Marseille defense, the ex-Lensois arose to resume with great serenity a service from Martin Terrier, the other man Building on the Rouge et Noir’s prosperous season, it was perhaps his last game at Roazhon Park, and the attacking midfielder also gave himself a victory lap at the end of the match.

Despite this convincing success, which revives him in the race for the Champions League, Rennes is however assured of nothing, since he can as well finish in sixth as in second place. But whatever happens in Lille, next Saturday, the men of Genesio will remain in the memory of the Red and Black supporters for the spectacle offered. Today fourth with a goal average of champion (+42), but twelve defeats on the clock, his case can recall that of Nice of Lucien Favre, another machine to play well, third in 2016-2017 (12 defeats also and + 27), or even that of OM Bielsa, fourth in 2014-2015 (+34 and 11 defeats). By the orgy of play offered and the ability to produce dizzying movements, Rennes moreover resembled the Marseille of El Loco more than that of Sampaoli, more in control.

This OM from someone who was a faithful disciple of El Loco in his early days could finish him, in the worst case, in the same place as that obtained by Bielsa. However, he still holds his destiny in his hands to qualify for the Champions League, after a game « magnifying glass« , according to Guendouzi. Victim of its recurring deficiencies, Marseille also knows that it has mental resources, that it knows how to bounce back, as it has proven at several critical moments of the season. And after all, if the dynamic reversed, OM remain ahead of Rennes.