Les Rennais!

If the recent resurgence of les Rouge et Noir was like a cold winter coming to an end, Saturday’s triumphant comeback draw certainly made the statement that Rennais is ready to fight for a European spot. After falling down by two goals at Léon-Bollée to Daniel Jeandupeux’ Le Muc 72, Rennais poured back to level with the latest of strikes.

Guy Lacombe’s side fell behind in the second minute of the match as Thorstein Helstad got on the end of a rebound to score. Le Mans was full of confidence and with Rennais providing little resistance only sixteen minutes later Gervinho outwitted the statuesque defenders before deposited the ball into the net. The situation was bleak for the Breton ones and it wasn’t till the later stages of the half that they regained composure. Seeking inspiration Jérôme Leroy and Moussa Sow were called upon after the break and the comeback was set to slow simmer. A valiant attempt by Leroy was cleared agonizingly at the last moment but with fifteen minutes left to click Rennais shows what it is made of and orchestrates a brilliant comeback as Jirès Kembo-Ekoko showed a flash of genius making his way through the Le Mans onlookers before scoring. Yet the final glorious piece was yet to come as in stoppage time Leroy’s cross was sent in by Sow bringing the match to a 2-2 finale.

Was the result a draw or a victory? On paper a draw naturally but in-fact so much more, much more.