Mousa Al-Tamari’s left wing-back switch proves a winner for Rennes | OneFootball

Mousa Al-Tamari’s switch to left wing-back proved decisive, the Jordanian punishing Brest’s errors before leaving to a 79th-minute ovation at Roazhon Park.

Rennes were suffocated early and trailed on 13 minutes through Mama Baldé. According to L'Équipe, Estéban Lepaul levelled on 24 minutes after Al-Tamari picked off Kenny Lala’s errant back-pass.

Seconds later Al-Tamari anticipated another soft pass towards Brendan Chardonnet, nicked the ball and beat Grégoire Coudert. Brest’s gifts helped, but Rennes still needed their in-form wide man to finish.

Habib Beye said the player looks transformed, smiling, pressing and setting standards, and that the team should reflect that. Al-Tamari’s future had been unclear in the summer.

He joined from Montpellier in January for €9m as a right winger and underwhelmed in spring. He shone in the 1-0 win over OM on 15 August, then was omitted at Lorient’s 0-4 a week later after arriving late to a pre-match meeting.

Moved to left wing-back during the second half against Nice on 26 October, despite a 1-2 defeat, his influence has grown. Rennes now have five wins in six and are guaranteed at least joint fifth at the break.

Beye argues that side frees his pace because he can drive on to his right without slowing. Al-Tamari, who leads Jordan and will play at their first World Cup next summer with Argentina, Algeria and Austria, said only that he will always give his best. Rennes meet Sables Vendée next Sunday, then visit Lille on 3 January.

Source: L'Équipe