Adrien Thomasson’s 52nd-minute goal lifts Rennes to 1-0 win

Rennes make one goal count against Marseille

Rennes defeated Marseille 1-0 at Roazhon Park in Ligue 1 on Friday, September 11. Adrien Thomasson scored the only goal in the 52nd minute, giving Rennes a deserved home victory and extending their unbeaten start to the regular season.

Thomasson breaks the deadlock

The first half ended without a goal, although both teams created opportunities. Rennes recorded 13 shots from inside the box and seven from outside it, while Marseille had eight and five respectively. Rennes also had seven shots on goal to Marseille’s five, but both goalkeepers kept the score level before the interval.

The turning point arrived seven minutes after half-time. Thomasson found the net in the 52nd minute with a normal goal, putting Rennes ahead. The midfielder completed the match with a rating of 8.2, one shot on target and two key passes. His goal separated the teams despite Marseille having slightly more of the ball overall.

Marseille had possession but could not equalise

Marseille held 51% possession and completed 439 accurate passes from 522 total, compared with Rennes’ 417 accurate passes from 495. That control did not translate into a goal. Rennes finished with 20 total shots to Marseille’s 13 and blocked seven attempts, while Marseille blocked one.

Both sides made five saves from their goalkeepers’ perspectives in the match statistics, with Marseille goalkeeper J. de Lange making six saves according to the performer data. Rennes goalkeeper B. Samba was also important, finishing with a 7.7 rating and five saves. The numbers point to a competitive game in possession, but Rennes were more productive with their shooting.

Cards and late changes

Marseille collected four yellow cards, compared with one for Rennes. Himad Abdelli was booked in the 33rd minute, followed by Igor Paixão and Przemysław Frankowski in the 43rd. Amine Harit received Marseille’s fourth yellow in the 85th minute, while Timothy Weah was booked in the 90th. Neither side received a red card.

Rennes made five listed substitutions, including Mousa Al-Tamari for Issa Soumaré at half-time and Boulaye Dia, Sebastian Szymański and Bryan Reynolds in the second half. Marseille introduced Keyliane Abdallah and Neal Maupay after the interval, but could not find an equaliser.

Rennes strengthen early position

Rennes began the round fifth with seven points from three games, a record of two wins and one draw. The victory takes them to 10 points from four matches and keeps their unbeaten run intact. Marseille, who started 10th with three points from three games, remain on three points after a third defeat in four matches. Rennes’ recent form now reads draw, win, win, win, while Marseille’s is win, loss, loss, loss.