Rennes delivered a dramatic 1-0 victory over Olympique de Marseille on the opening night of Ligue 1, with substitute Ludovic Blas striking late to seal the win at Roazhon Park.
Habib Beye’s side, reduced to ten men early in the first half, showed remarkable resilience against Marseille’s sustained pressure before punishing them at the death.
The decisive moment arrived just minutes before the final whistle, when Blas, introduced from the bench, capitalised on a rare opportunity to snatch all three points for the hosts.
The game took an unexpected turn in the 31st minute when Rennes were forced to play a man short after a dismissal. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Beye’s men remained disciplined, soaking up wave after wave of Marseille attacks.
The visitors created numerous chances and came agonisingly close on two occasions, striking the woodwork, but they could not find the cutting edge needed to break down a stubborn Rennes defence.
Marseille, who enjoyed long spells of dominance in possession, were left frustrated as their inability to convert chances into goals proved costly. Even as the match edged towards what seemed an inevitable stalemate, Rennes remained compact, biding their time for a moment to turn the tide in their favour.
That moment arrived late in the game when Blas, only recently brought on, found himself in the right place at the right time to fire home the winner.
His composed finish sent the Roazhon Park crowd into celebration, while Marseille were left stunned after seeing their hard work undone in the dying minutes.
For Rennes, the victory marks a dream start under Beye’s leadership. The former defender, who took charge in the summer, has been tasked with revitalising the club and restoring them as a consistent force in French football.
A battling win over one of Ligue 1’s heavyweights will undoubtedly serve as a confidence boost for the weeks ahead.
The result was particularly impressive given the circumstances of the match. Playing with ten men for nearly an hour against a Marseille side packed with attacking talent tested Rennes’ resolve.
Yet, their defensive structure held firm, and when the opportunity presented itself, they showed the ruthlessness required at the top level.
Marseille, meanwhile, will rue their missed chances. Their inability to turn territorial dominance into goals highlighted the same shortcomings that have plagued them in previous campaigns.
Despite striking the woodwork twice, their finishing let them down, and they were ultimately punished by Rennes’ late strike.
Adding to Marseille’s frustrations was the absence of young defender Mikayil Faye, who was omitted from the squad after arriving late to the training camp.
His exclusion left OM with limited defensive options, though their primary issue on the night was not in keeping Rennes out, but in failing to make their own pressure count.
As the final whistle blew, Rennes celebrated a statement victory that showed grit, patience, and opportunism. For Beye, it was the perfect start to his tenure, while for Marseille, it served as an early reminder of the challenges they face in maintaining consistency in their bid to challenge for the Ligue 1 title.
The season may only be one match old, but Rennes’ dramatic late win has already set the tone for a campaign that promises twists, resilience, and no shortage of drama.
