Standout conductor anchors Rennes in disciplined draw with Metz | OneFootball

Valentin Rongier forced a low save in the 10th minute with a skidding drive as Rennes and Metz finished 0-0. The midfielder then dictated play with crisp passing and control between the lines.

That early strike drew a sharp stop from Pape Sy (10.). Rongier then slipped Ludovic Blas in for a blocked effort from the edge (33.).

Just before the break, another Rongier effort was pushed away (45.). After the restart, his clipped pass released Blas to rattle the bar from the right side (63.).

Rongier kept threading lanes late, feeding Breel Embolo for a blocked attempt from a tight angle (82.). In the fourth minute of second half stoppage time, his set-piece delivery found Estéban Lepaul, whose header drifted wide.

He finished with three key passes, six tackles and 10 possession regains, underscoring how his positioning and tempo set Rennes' platform in midfield.

Rennes stay seventh and visit Brest next. Metz remain 18th and host Nantes next.