Heart, it is hallmark of a great athlete. The ups and the downs, the trials and tribulations dot a players development and those that can answer the call of adversity are deserving of the highest accolades. As a young player works through their development, they go through countless challenges, each one a building block of the next. Through the looking glass the casual observer might forget the highest level of the game goes through similar tests but as you look closer, like a young child first learning to strike the ball, they too learn the lesson of overcoming adversity. Such is the case of les Rouge & Noir this year and equally Jimmy Briand against Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday evening as they faced challenges head on, dusted off failure and fought straight on towards success and vindication.Rennais success at at the Gerland as been much talked about and true to form victory for l’OL could not be found as in the dying moments, down by one, Jimmy Briand netted the leveling goal after falling short on a number of occasions. Les Lyonnais started with confidence with the first attempt coming by Kim Källström looking to remind his own club of his prowess but his drive from twenty metres in controlled. Rennais appeared to have found the net four minutes later when Carlos Bocanegra headed Bruno Cheyrou cross in but the goal is called back as the American international fouled John Mensah as he leaped towards the ball. The thirty-second minute brings a sigh of relief for les Rouge & Noir as Källström's cross sets up Kader Keïta for what should have been a straight forward strike but he fails to open this body up correctly and sends the ball into the dark night.
Rennais confidence after the break has grown noticeably after escaping the opening half level. A Jimmy Briand attempt is quickly denied by John Mensah five minutes after the restart and then on the hour Petter Hansson lifts his shot from the six yard box over the crossbar. The match takes a remarkable turn six minutes past the hour when Jimmy Briand closes in on Lyonnais goalkeeper Hugo Lloris but his drive is saved and bounds off high towards Karim Benzema. The young striker then lobbed a perfectly weighted pass to Miralem Pjanić who crosses to Kim Källström before he drilled the ball into the top corner to give Lyonnais the 1-0 lead. Four minutes later Jimmy Briand had a chance to bring the match even when he is played through and instead of simply chipping the ball over a onrushing Hugo Lloris who is both off-line and went to the ground early, he tries to side-foot the ball in and it drifts wide. With just over ten minutes remaining Guy Lacombe chooses to bring Jirès Kembo Ekoko and Julián Estéban off the bench and the two breathe further life into the Breton side. Finally, one minute into added time a long pass is coyly headed on by Petter Hansson to Jimmy Briand who has broke free on Lloris and this time the young striker is vindicated as he sends the ball into the net and gives les Rouge & Noir a breathtaking draw.
Standing in the corner after scoring, his face said it all. Les Rennais ont du coeur!
Photo Credit: Stade Rennais
