esprit d'escalier

As Rennais approached Saturday's match against Nancy there were many questions to be answered but oddly many of the true concerns have been a challenge to identify. It is a peculiar twist because while many clubs will suffer through tactical issues or technical weaknesses, there is still the other problem when fortune seems to not fall your way. For much of the year the Rouges & Noirs had skillfully crafted the reputation of a side with a subtle blend of veteran defenders and emerging talents capable to climb to the heights of Ligue 1. Now after stumbling with a single victory to show over the last eight matches, they are walking the razors edge that every team must if they are recover from slumping fortune and need to find the missing ingredient of confidence.

In the absence of Romain Danzé and Jérôme Leroy, Jires Kembo-Ekoko was given a long overdue opportunity. Immediately the Rouges & Noirs went on the attack with Olivier Thomert centering for Mickaël Pagis but his volley flew over Gennaro Bracigliano's goal. Guy Lacombe allowed the youthful exuberance to drive forward unbridled but Rennais commitment and lack of deception lent them exposed to the contre-attaque. Like a great Fencer, Nancy drew Rennais in before launching forward. Barely in the fifth minute Youssouf Hadji nearly got revenge on his old club but Nicolas Douchez pushed his offering wide. For the rest of the half, the Rouges & Noirs control possession with Jires Kembo-Ekoko proving his worthiness with a number of quality touches including Mickaël Pagis' drive near the whistle.

As the match restarted Guy Lacombe substituted Stéphane Mbia with Bruno Cheyrou in need of more attacking creativity. However by the fiftieth minute Pablo Correa has etched a new tactical plan with Julien Féret opening for Youssouf Hadji but his effort is wide by a smallest of margins. Using the same pattern two minutes before the hour Issiar Dia sets Hadji free but this time his effort rests in the netting providing Nancy the lead. With the lead, Nancy is focused upon eliminating the Rennais' chances and plays behind the goal. The match is nearing completion and although Rennais has controlled the ball, quality scoring chances are rare. Finally with only three minutes left on the clock Petter Hansson crosses to Jimmy Briand who has shook his mark and sends the ball into the net with care. The Rouges & Noirs are now growing with confidence, possibly for the first time since late November and search for the winning goal. A late advance strikes the Nancy post but with a quick whistle the match ends with a draw.