Mavididi strikes late to down Europe-chasing Rennes
While Rennes battle for a sixth consecutive qualification for European competition, the home side are languishing in the lower reaches of Ligue 1 and are in danger of being sucked into trouble. The beginning of the match didn’t follow that script however, as Montpellier launched an early onslaught on Steve Mandanda’s goal.
Teji Savanier was as ever his side’s most effective attacking outlet, while the Rennes defenders needed to put their bodies on the line to ensure any crosses from Arnaud Nordin wouldn’t find their intended targets.
The visitors weathered the storm, and a lengthy break to allow smoke emanating from the home end’s pyrotechnics to clear may not have done any favours to Montpellier’s momentum. Rennes subsequently turned the run of play on its head, and they would have netted the opener when the ball ricocheted in the direction of Arnaud Kalimuendo in fortuitous circumstances, if not for the lightning-quick reactions of Benjamin Lecomte.
Now winning the key battles in midfield, Bruno Genesio’s men began to find rhythm. Kalimuendo found space on the left-hand side to pull it back for Benjamin Bourigeaud on the edge of the box, but his strike was too close to the middle of the goal for Lecomte to break sweat.
Michel Der Zakarian had never tasted victory against a side managed by Bruno Genesio, and his side’s job was made significantly harder when captain Savanier was shown his third red card of the season for a reprehensible stamp on Lesley Ugochukwu. Challenges were flying in, as were the cards out of referee Ruddy Buquet’s shirt pocket, and Montpellier predictably sat back in an attempt to hold onto a precious point. Rennes were largely reduced to long-range efforts, but Arthur Theate’s dipping 40-yard attempt set the bar shaking.
Les Rennais continued to dominate the match, and white shirts poured forwards, but there was scant reward for the few who had made the long journey from Brittany to the south coast, and it was ultimately the ten men of Montpellier who struck the killer blow. Jordan Ferri stepped in for Savanier to float in a free-kick, which was headed across the box by Christopher Jullien and nodded in by substitute Stephy Mavididi. A vital three points to ease relegation worries for La Paillade, but Rennes were unable to capitalise on Lille’s draw with Auxerre and slipped further from the top five in Ligue 1.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Christopher Jullien (Montpellier HSC)