Ligue 1 roundup: Rennes rises, Strasbourg loses ground in the race for the top 4
Paris, April 24, 2022 (AFP) – Rennes shrugged off back-to-back defeats to their direct rivals for a Champions League spot by thrashing Lorient 5-0 on Sunday to regain third place in Ligue 1.
Martin Terrier scored his 21st goal of the season shortly after Benjamin Bourigeaud had given Rennes the lead at Roazhon Park. Terrier is now just one behind the league’s top scorer, Kylian Mbappe.
Captain Hamari Traoré scored a third early in the second half, with Flavien Tait and Gaetan Laborde also on target after Rennes defender Nayif Aguerd was sent off.
“Scoring twice in the first 20 minutes gave us confidence,” said Bruno Genesio, whose team had lost to Monaco and Strasbourg in their last two games.
“We have shown again that after two negative results, we are able to react. It’s a form of character that is starting to emerge from this team.”
Rennes moved back above Monaco on goal difference and within three points of second-placed Marseille, who travel to Reims in Sunday’s late fixture.
Strasbourg squandered the chance to stay level with Rennes and Monaco after losing 1-0 at Lille – their first loss in 12 matches – as Zeki Celik struck three minutes from time.
Nice remained in the hunt for the top three thanks to a 94th-minute goal from Khephren Thuram in a 1-0 win over Troyes.
Nantes, who face Nice in the Coupe de France final next month, came from two goals down to beat Bordeaux 5-3 and send the six-time French champions into relegation trouble.
Metz look doomed to fall into the second tier and ended their 1-0 home loss to Brest with nine men. They are now without a win in 13 matches.
Clermont rallied with two late goals to draw 2-2 with Angers and take a two-point lead over Saint-Etienne in the relegation play-off position.