PLAYER RATINGS | Rennes 5-0 Saint-Etienne: Arnaud Kalimuendo nets hat-trick in Jorge Sampaoli’s emphatic first win | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 13, 30/11/24

After a string of three consecutive losses, Rennes has returned to winning ways in humbling the promoted Ligue 1 side. Mathieu Cafaro’s first-half dismissal opened the floodgates for the hosts.

The Match

Rennes v Saint-Etienne started with way more entertainment off the pitch rather than on it with home fans making their displeasure known after Rennes’ awful start of the Ligue 1 season. A thick wall of smoke coming from Roazhon Park’s Mordelles end forced referee Marc Bollengier to halt proceedings for a moment. When play resumed, both teams looked completely incapable of taking hold of the game, with Rennes taking little risk playing forward and the visitors not embarrassed in the slightest to sit deep.

Saint-Etienne attacking midfielder Mathieu Cafaro had the first clear goalscoring opportunity, but he wasted his one-on-one with Steve Mandanda, smashing the former France international’s left post. Cafaro would, unwillingly, be the difference-maker later on, handballing Jordan James’ goal-bound half-volley. After reviewing the action, referee Marc Bollengier sent Cafaro off and pointed to the spot kick. France U21 international Arnaud Kalimuendo sent Gautier Larsonneur the wrong way, scoring Rennes’ first goal since October 25.

On the stroke of half-time, Kalimuendo would turn provider, feeding Ludovic Blas in the Saint-Etienne penalty box. The former Nantes attacking midfielder danced past Yunis Abdelhamid before lashing a powerful left-footed effort under Larsonneur’s crossbar. With two goals and a man up, Rennes were in the driving seat at half-time.

It didn’t take long for Rennes to put the game to bed, making the most of Saint-Etienne’s gaping holes after Cafaro’s dismissal. Blas had all the time in the world to thread a great cross for Amine Gouiri to head home. The electric Blas enjoyed plenty of freedom on the right channel. He fed Kalimuendo for Rennes’ fourth goal before forcing Leo Petrot to commit to a foul in his penalty box, allowing the France U21 international to seal his hat-trick from the spot-kick.

Rennes would miss several opportunities to strengthen their lead with 10-man Saint-Etienne forced to defend to prevent a repeat of their 8-0 away loss to Nice. Les Verts sink to 14th-place whilst Jorge Sampaoli’s Rennes get closer to the higher half of the Ligue 1 standings.

Rennes player ratings

Steve Mandanda – 5

Hans Hateboer – 5

Leo Ostigard – 6

Mikayil Faye – 5

Lorenz Assignon – 6

Jordan James – 7

The Wales international was given the nod by Sampaoli and it’s hard to understand why former Rennes boss Julien Stéphan never even started him since the start of the Ligue 1 season. The former Birmingham City academy graduate was very comfortable going forward, setting the press and breaking lines with his passing. His deflected half-volley was the starting point of Rennes’ rout.

Azor Matusiwa – 6

Mahamadou Nagida – 6

Ludovic Blas – 8

A simply electric display from the attacking midfielder. He was a menace throughout, scored his side’s all-important second goal and was heavily involved in Rennes’ second-half blitz, delivering two assists and gaining a penalty. Came off to a rapturous applause.

Arnaud Kalimuendo – 8

The France U21 international doubled his campaign account in a single evening. He dispatched two spot kicks with composure, showed great skill for Rennes’ fourth and delivered an assist for Blas’ first-half goal. A morale-boosting hat-trick.

Amine Gouiri – 6

GFFN | Bastien Cheval – reporting from Rennes