Stade Rennais – Olympique Marseille: Marseille Secure Second Place With A Late Winner Despite A Mediocre Game Of Football (0-1)
In the first Ligue 1 clash of 2020 between the third place, Rennes, and the second place, Marseille, the visitors managed to win despite facing some difficulties against Julien Stéphan’s side. Eventually their defensive resistance and a late goal from a free kick, ensured the win - allowing them to continue their winning run in the league.
Tactical analysis and match report by Simon Piotr.
After a long spell in the trendy 5-3-2 formation, which has flourished in Ligue 1 over the past months, Rennes came back to a more classic and well-known system of the 4-4-2 formation. The team started with the double pivot composed of the young talent Eduardo Camavinga alongside James Siliki, the presence of Benjamin Bourigeaud and Raphinha on the wings tipped the offensive mindedness of the formation.
The year started in a difficult manner for Marseille. Indeed, Villas-Boas’ side were not fully ready from the winter break and waited until the penalty shootouts to win against the amateurs of Trélissac in the first round of the French Cup. But coming back to league competition, Villas-Boas chose to line-up his team in their classic 4-3-3 formation with the young center back Boubacar Kamara as the holding midfielder alongside Valentin Rongier, while Dimitri Payet slotted in as a playmaking left winger and the former Boca Juniors forward, Dario Benedetto, started upfront.
Rennes slightly more dominant in a poor offensive half
The game started and it was clear from the kick-off that we would not see the sexiest game of football. First, the horrific state of the grass was embarrassing for French professionals, as it is . . .
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