Stade Rennes vs. Auxerre

Frederic Antonetti’s home side had enjoyed the better of the early stages of the game but started to toil after ten minutes of fruitless probing. AJA responded, with Valter Birsa going close with the game’s first real chance. Then came a turning point after just 15 minutes, when Dennis Oliech was tripped by Carlos Bocanegra, who was the last man and was dismissed. From the free kick, Benoit Pedretti inflicted maximum punishment, sweeping a shot into the net.

Openings were few in the remainder of the first half after this moment, with Rennes content to counter and Auxerre unable to dent their opponents’ defence. Indeed, a hopeful effort from Oliech was about as good as things got for the guests.

Meanwhile, Rennes enjoyed one excellent opening when Asamoah Gyan steamed through, though some fine goalkeeping from Olivier Sorin denied him five minutes before the break.

The match continued to drift nowhere in the early stages of the second half, but the occasional fine chance would be stumbled upon. Strong play from Cedric Hengbart created a chance for Birsa, but he was again wasteful when well placed in the centre of the box.

Rennes gained an increasing foothold in the match as time wore on, with efforts from Moussa Sow and Gyan going unrewarded.

Chances arrive for AJA too, with Oliech shooting wide before being denied by the feet of Douchez, who would have been pleased to see Aurelien Chedjou’s follow-up fly over. However, they already had the goal they needed, and they would hold their advantage.