Habib Beye marked his first Breton derby in charge of Stade Rennais with a crucial 2-1 victory over regional rivals FC Nantes, easing Rennes’ relegation fears and deepening their opponents’ troubles near the bottom of the Ligue 1 table.
The win at Roazhon Park all but secures Rennes’ top-flight status for another season, while Nantes remain dangerously close to the drop zone.
With both teams enduring underwhelming campaigns, Saturday’s derby took on added significance beyond regional pride.
Rennes started with greater intent and controlled much of the opening half.
Their early pressure earned them a penalty in the 13th minute, but Arnaud Kalimuendo squandered the opportunity from the spot, evoking memories of Julian Alvarez’s recent miss against Real Madrid.
The breakthrough came ten minutes later when captain Adrien Truffert converted a well-worked move to hand the hosts a deserved lead.
FC Nantes, fighting for survival, responded with urgency after the break.
Egyptian forward Mostafa Mohamed levelled the contest in the 54th minute, finishing clinically to give his side hope of a vital point.
However, just as the match appeared to be heading for a draw, Rennes struck the decisive blow.
Kader Meité’s 86th-minute winner sealed the result for Rennes and capped off an important night for Beye, who only recently took over managerial duties.
The Senegalese coach’s tactical decisions paid dividends, guiding his side through a tense encounter with composure and resilience.
“We knew it was more than just three points,” Beye said post-match. “This was about pride, about showing fight, and the boys delivered. I’m proud of their attitude.”
The derby defeat leaves Nantes in 13th place, still looking nervously over their shoulder as the relegation battle intensifies.
Meanwhile, Rennes move up to 10th, with their Ligue 1 safety now within touching distance.
For Beye, the derby win is a significant early milestone in his tenure.
For Nantes, the road to safety just became steeper.
The final weeks of the season promise to be fraught with tension for the Canaries, who must now regroup quickly if they are to avoid the drop.
