Matias Fernandez-Pardo decisive with goal and assist as Lille beat Rennes 2-1 | OneFootball

Matias Fernandez-Pardo led Lille to a 2-1 win at Rennes, scoring early and creating the second in a commanding display.

According to L'Équipe, the 21-year-old Belgian, exhausted by his graft, briefly sat on the Roazhon Park turf in stoppage time after another recovery sprint.

He thrived as the central striker he likes, though his influence stretched beyond that role and his season has featured muted outings in the position.

Attacking the space, as Bruno Genesio often demands, he checked Mahamadou Nagida’s position, then burst through to beat Brice Samba for 1-0 on two minutes.

Right after the interval he switched to the right, surged past Quentin Merlin and squared for Hakon Haraldsson to make it 2-0 on 47 minutes.

Too often this season he has frustrated, his flaws overshadowing clear talent, though Atlético de Madrid’s winter interest underlined his ceiling.

With a sharper Fernandez-Pardo and a defence back on song, Genesio could gain more options, including managing Olivier Giroud’s minutes after his late cameo.

Eight days earlier against Lorient, a deft lob had secured the 1-1 draw, his fifth of the season, prompting hope he was finally accelerating.

Thursday’s trip to Birmingham to face Aston Villa in the Europa League may prove a significant marker for Lille, and for him.

Source: L'Équipe