ESTAC Troyes 2-4 Stade Rennais | Match Report

Stade Rennais came back from two goals down for the second week in a row, this time running out as eventual winners by 2-4 against Ligue 1 strugglers, ESTAC Troyes.

The hosts took a surprise lead on five minutes when Fabien Camus tried his luck from distance and succeeded with the opener. Things got even better for ESTAC when they doubled their tally eight minutes later through Corentin Jean. Unfortunately, Rennes weren't going to give their opponents their first Ligue 1 victory.

The Bretons fought hard as they did the week before against Lorient by undoing their wrongs before half time. Ousmane Dembele's goal was sandwiched in between two Fallou Diagne penalties. To round it off a superb solo effort from Kamil Grosicki before full time put the icing on the cake for Les Rouges et Noirs.

Action Packed First Half

There was very little action from kick off with nothing in the way of a clear cut opportunity, however Rennes racked up the possession stats early on, hitting 69%.

Troyes took the lead on five minutes from out of nothing when Camus opened the scoring. Cutting inside from the right, the winger spotted his chance to test the positioning of keeper, Benoit Costil, and thus swung his left foot at the ball. Consequently, the shot nestled in the far corner of the net.

Not long after the first goal had been scored, the second wasn't too far behind. A terrible defensive display from Rennes allowed Camus' crossed free kick to find Jean in the centre of the box to head in unmarked.

After a torrid season for Troyes, there seemed to be a belief that they hadn't felt in a long while.

However, this new feeling could only last a matter of minutes when Anele Ngcongca brought down Dembele inside the box to give away a penalty. Up stepped the now more familiar taker, Diagne, who calmly placed the ball to the bottom left.

With a halved lead, heads seemed to go down in the Troyes camp and Rennes, with a new found confidence, took full advantage. As a result, the match was drawn level when Dembele composed himself inside a busy penalty box to smash a shot by the near post.

There was a calmness in the match following the predictable leveler. Few chances for both teams passed them by including Troyes' Camus and Cabot both being denied. Furthermore, Rennes' Jeremie Boga saw his long range free kick turned away at the top corner by keeper, Paul Bernardoni.

Around five minutes from the break, Rennes eventually went ahead with Diagne scoring another spot-kick. It was awarded due to Mouhamadou Dabo pulling Cheikh M'Bengue in the box. This time Diagne chose a completely opposite part of the net as he went top right and it was just as neatly tucked away.

Just the one goal in the second half

From the off, Rennes continued the dominance they had left behind going into half time. Giovanni Sio had his hands on his head after a missed sitter from three yards. The ball surprisingly fell into the Ivorian's path following a free kick but the frame of Bernardoni kept the shot out.

At the other end, Camus tried another audacious effort from long range. The outcome was different to his first attempt as this one flashed across the face of goal.

The only thing keeping the score line lower than what it was was the admirable heroics of Bernardoni between the sticks for Troyes. He produced amicable reactions and reflexes to deny substitute, Paul-Georges Ntep, who was aiming to score on his return from injury.

There was nothing Bernardoni could do about Rennes' fourth and final goal. All hats have to be tipped to substitute Grosicki whose solo effort was Lionel Messi inspired. The Polish winger beat Chris Mavinga and Matthieu Saunier before sticking the ball through the legs of Bernardoni from an acute angle. There is a consensus that the winger will be leaving Rennes, but if that goal is to be his last in that jersey, then what a present it was.

If Grosicki remains at Rennes, then he and his side will host Gazelec Ajaccio next Friday night, while Troyes travel to Lille on the Saturday evening.

Troyes XI: Bernardoni; Mavinga, Saunier, Ngcongca, Dabo, Camus, Karaboue, Pi, Confais, Cabot, Jean

Rennes XI: Costil; Zeffane, Diagne, Armand, M'Bengue; Sylla, Andre; Dembele, Doucoure, Boga; Sio