PLAYER RATINGS | Brest 1-1 Rennes: Jota scores debut goal in tense Brittany Derby | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 8, 19/10/24

Four days before their Champions League clash against fellow unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen, Stade Brestois 29 hosted bitter Brittany rivals Stade Rennais this Saturday. The hosts deservedly lead following a penalty from Romain Del Castillo. But the introduction of fresh legs from Rennes proved decisive with Jota restoring parity in the final minutes.

The Match

Stade Brestois were handed an injury blow before a ball was even kicked with centre-back Julien Le Cardinal pulling out during the warm-up, which prompted Eric Roy to field Abdoulaye Ndiaye. The hosts struggled to break open Rennes’ three-man defense and the visitors were just as toothless. No shots were registered in the first twenty minutes.

The game opened up a bit after the half-hour mark with Brest enjoying more possession but lacking an edge in the final third. Mahdi Camara’s half-volley only found Steve Mandanda’s crossbar and, a couple of minutes later, Hugo Magnetti shot straight at the former Crystal Palace goalkeeper after an excellent lay-up from Ludovic Ajorque. Rennes responded with Amine Gouiri firing an effort, cleared by Marco Bizot.

Minutes into the second half, Brest were awarded a penalty with Azor Matusiwa handling a deflected shot from Pierre Lees-Melou – a rather harsh decision. Romain Del Castillo stepped up and duly dispatched his third penalty goal of the Ligue 1 season. This prompted the under-pressure Julien Stéphan to ring the changes and switch to a back four with Glen Kamara and Jota entering the fray.

Rennes were still on the ropes with Brest now dominating proceedings. The visitors’ input of fresh legs, with Andrès Gomez and Albert Gronbaek, offered renewed challenges for Eric Roy’s Pirates. They even proved decisive with Gronbaek feeding Arnaud Kalimuendo whose cross was tapped in by Jota in the final ten minutes. The former Celtic FC scored his debut goal for Les Rouge et Noir. Brest were left to rue missed chances when they were 1-0 up. As for Rennes, it remains to be seen whether this late point will be enough to clear the doubts surrounding Julien Stéphan’s future.

Brest players ratings

Marco Bizot – 5

Kenny Lala – 5

Brendan Chardonnet – 5

Abdoulaye Ndiaye – 6

The young Senegal international kept a cool head after being called upon at the last minute and delivered a strong shift at the back.

Jordan Amavi – 5

Mahdi Camara – 6

Pierre Lees-Melou – 6

A welcome return to form. After a lengthy injury lay-off, the former Norwich City midfielder was essential to his teammates, winning balls high up the field and dictating the press. Brest loosened their grip when he was replaced.

Hugo Magnetti – 5

Romain Del Castillo – 6

Ludovic Ajorque – 4

Mathias Pereira Lage – 3

Rennes players ratings

Steve Mandanda – 5

Alidu Seidu – 5

A good shift from the Ghana international. The right-back turned centre-back in a back three won numerous duels, balls and fouls. Booked and set to miss Rennes’ away game at Auxerre.

Christopher Wooh – 4

Mikayil Faye – 4

Hans Hateboer – 3

The former Atalanta BC defender is the shadow of his former self, losing countless balls, giving away cheap fouls and ineffective going forward. Hooked at the hour mark and replaced by Jota, who scored his side’s equalising goal.

Azor Matusiwa – 4

Baptiste Santamaria – 4

Adrien Truffert – 4

Ludovic Blas – 4

Arnaud Kalimuendo – 5

The centre-forward has been hard to find and had little on his plate, barring an effort on Bizot in the second half. He redeemed himself with an inspired assist for Jota’s equalising goal.

Amine Gouiri – 4

GFFN | Bastien Cheval