Just 55 seconds into the game and his talent spoke for itself. With a brilliant inspiration, a splendid long-range volley from the left, Ludovic Blas showed his team-mates the way. It was a move that set the tone for his first UEFA Europa League outing. In a Roazhon Park ready to sing, the whole team was in tune. Technically, tactically and physically, Rennes were the better side. Their superiority was rewarded in the 31st minute with another brilliant move. Adrien Truffert was inspired by our number 11 and made no mistake with an unstoppable volley from the edge of the area. The Stadis continued the match in complete freedom, unlike the Maccabi Haifa players who had no way of destabilising the defensive line. Bertuğ Yildirim imposed his physical presence in the 18-yard box, and before the hour mark he took advantage of a fine evening to score his first goal for his new colours, following a Benjamin Bourigeaud service from a corner. A perfect evening!
In the other Group F match, Pana beat Villarreal 2-0 at home.
Next up for Stade Rennais F.C. is a trip to Montpellier on Sunday (5.05pm) for matchday 6 of Ligue 1 Uber Eats.
Go Rennes!
HIGHLIGHTS
1st: Ludovic Blas controls from 20 metres out and unleashes an exceptional left-footed volley straight into the top corner. 1-0
4th: Désiré Doué heads in a Ludovic Blas cross from close range.
17th: Ludovic Blas in a good position to shoot on the left side of the box. His low shot is well saved by Itamar Nitzan.
25th: As in Larnaca a year ago, Arthur Theate tries his luck from distance, at least 25 metres out. It hit the post, but the keeper was beaten.
27th: Din David curls a shot just wide from three metres out.
31st: Stopping kick for the Red and Blacks. Warmed Omari passes the ball to Adrien Truffert 18 metres out. The left-footed volley gives the home keeper no chance. 2-0
36th : Manuel Cafumana at the far post, a header that doesn't surprise Steve Mandanda.
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51st : Ludovic Blas holds up the defence before feeding Lorenz Assignon, whose shot goes just over.
52nd : Superb acrobatic overhead kick from Ibrahim Salah, which skims the post.
53e : Désiré Doué's powerful left-footed shot is parried by the keeper.
55th: Bertuğ Yildirim to rise higher than everyone else from a corner: first goal in SRFC colours! 3-0
77th: Adrien Truffert is played back in by Lorenz Assignon, his shot fails to find the target.
THE MATCH REPORT
UEFA Europa League - Week 1
Stade Rennais F.C. / Maccabi Haïfa FC : 3-0
Thursday 21 September 2023 - 18:45
Roazhon Park - 26,838 spectators
Goals: Ludovic Blas (1st), Adrien Truffert (31st), Bertuğ Yildirim (55th)
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Booked:
SRFC: Amine Gouiri (yellow 79th),
MHFC: Manuel Cafumana (yellow 55th), Maor Kandil (yellow 65th), Anan Khalaili (yellow 79th), Tjaronn Chery (79th), Ali Mohamed (yellow 89th)
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Stade Rennais F.C. line-up:
Steve Mandanda, Lorenz Assignon, Warmed Omari, Arthur Theate, Nemanja Matić (Baptiste Santamaria 69th), Benjamin Bourigeaud (c) (Enzo Le Fée 73rd), Désiré Doué, Ludovic Blas (Mathis Lambourde 83rd), Ibrahim Salah (Fabian Rieder 73rd), Bertuğ Yildirim (Amine Gouiri 69th).
Substitutes:
Gauthier Gallon, Geoffrey Lembet, Guéla Doué, Christopher Wooh, Mohamed Jaouab, Jeanuël Belocian
Coach: Bruno Genesio
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Maccabi Haifa FC squad:
Itamar Nitzan, Anan Khalaili, Daniel Sundgren, Abdoulaye Seck, Sean Goldberg (Lorenco Simić 72e) , Pierre Cornud, Mahmoud Jaber, Tjaronn Chery (c) (Erik Shuranov 80e), Manuel Cafumana (Ali Mohamed 62e), Din David (Diaa Sabia 46e), Frantzdy Pierrot (Maor Kandil 62e)
Substitutes :
Shareef Keouf, Suf Podgoreanu, Goni Naor, Ilay Feingold, Ilai Hagag, Hamza Shibli, Rami Gershon
Coach: Mesaye Degu
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Arbitre principal : Harm Osmers (GER)
