2023-12-14 22:05:22
Stade Rennes did not survive the shock this Thursday evening. Already qualified with four victories in the first five matches, the Rennais had to snatch at least one point against Villarreal to maintain their first place and go directly to the round of 16 of the Europa League. A mission which had already started badly when, in the 36th minute, Gerard Morena opened the scoring with a penalty.
However, the response from Rennes was immediate. On the kick-off, Enzo Le Fée sent a long ball directly to Lorenz Assignon. After perfect chest control, the right side found himself in the area, eccentric to the right. With a subtle inside left foot, the Frenchman slipped the ball between the legs of Pepe Reina to restore equality. In total, between the kick-off and the goal, only nine seconds passed.
It was only the beginning of a crossover between the two teams. Without being dominated, the Bretons left several opportunities to their Spanish opponents. Ilias Akhomach took the opportunity to restore the advantage to his team thanks to a deflected shot. Visibly diminished by the injury to Benjamin Bourigeaud, who suffered an ankle injury, the Rennais struggled to get their hands on the ball and snatch the equalizer.
It was ultimately Ludovic Blas who thought he could save his team by landing a shot beyond the reach of Pepe Reina. A short-lived joy since Dani Parejo finally scored the final blow a few seconds later, ten minutes from time. False joy then for the Bretons after endless stoppages in play: Rennes’ equalizer is finally canceled by the referee. Julien Stéphan’s men will therefore have to go through a round of 32, facing a team which finished third in its group in the Champions League.
Toulouse au forceps
For its part, Toulouse must not lose, otherwise it would see its qualification stolen by Union Saint-Gilloise, which dominated a largely overhauled Liverpool team this Thursday evening (2-1). A challenge succeeded by the Toulouse team, who won against the Austrians of Linz ASK (1-2). A close victory but enough to reach the round of 16 of this Europa League.
Thijs Dallinga first opened the scoring, in the 54th minute, after being ideally offset by the Spaniard Cesar Gelabert Pina. But the Austrians only took seven minutes to come back to the score, via Marin Ljubicic, plunging the French into doubt again. Under the threat of elimination, Toulouse first took advantage of the confidence of Guillaume Restes to keep the score, before reassuring themselves in the 83rd minute when the Chilean Gabriel Suazo perfectly took over a cross from Aron Donnum. Second with 11 points, TFC will go through to the round of 16, like Stade Rennes.
#Europa #League #Rennes #Toulouse #qualified