Estéban Lepaul seeks spark as Rennes target response in Lorient derby | OneFootball

Estéban Lepaul has cooled after a blistering start, seven goals in his first nine Rennes games then only one in his last nine, as Rennes host Lorient on Saturday at 17:00.

L'Équipe notes that Rennes must raise standards after the 1-1 with Le Havre, and that the reverse fixture ended 0-4 at Lorient, with Rennes down to nine for 80 minutes.

Since his Strasbourg hat-trick in the 4-1 win on two November, Lepaul has netted only against Brest, a 3-1 on 13 December. He says winning is essential to keep Rennes in the top six.

Chances still come. At PSG, a 0-5 defeat on six December, Matveï Safonov denied him superbly, and against Le Havre his finish on the hour was ruled out for offside against Breel Embolo.

He accepts being less decisive is frustrating, notes tighter marking, and wants to respond quickly. He started on the bench only once this season, at Lille in a 2-0 defeat on three January.

Habib Beye still leans on him, paired with Embolo or Kader Meïté, for his movement. He eyes the scorers’ chart, three behind Greenwood, but says Europe matters most, whether he ends on 10, 12 or 20 goals.

Former Rennes striker Frédéric Piquionne says it should return if Lepaul works and stays calm, adding he is still digesting an about €15 million move from Angers after an early surge.

Source: L'Équipe