Olympique de Marseille – Stade Rennais: European Shootout Leaves Rennes With Regrets (3-1)

It was to be a shootout between Olympique de Marseille and Stade Rennais on the final day of the season, as 54 shots were shared out evenly between the two European rivals. A place in the Champions League was at stake for Rennes if results elsewhere went their way (spoiler, they did); all they needed to do was to beat a Marseille side who had narrowly avoided coming into this game on a four-game winless streak.  

Tactical analysis and match report by Nick Hartland.

Victory at all costs. It has been the unofficial motto for Olympique de Marseille since the mid 1980s, and it has often been the reason why the club has struggled to rebuild its empire in the 2000s. Coming into the final game of the season, it would have a very different meaning. Victory would ensure the club would avoid the ignominy of playing in the Europa Conference League or missing out on Europe entirely, a fate not befitting à jamais les premiers. 

For Stade Rennais, victory against their former manager would be sweet. Habib Beye had been fired midway through the season and joined Marseille in a contentious move. However, that was not the only reason that Franck Haise’s men craved a win. A win would ensure, at the minimum, they would play in the Europa League, but it could also open the door for a spot in the Champions League if results elsewhere went their way. 

Beye went with a . . .