A game of colourful proceedings, it's on fresh soil where our latest Framed feature ventures. Roazhon Park is our destination where 23,673 fans watched on as Stade Rennes played host to Olympique Lyonnais.
With Lyon looking too add some heat to those teams commanding those three spots higher than them in the table, they travelled to Rennes expecting to carve out a strong win. Sweeping the rug right out from underneath the opposition and dancing in with hefty challenges from the off, Rennes braced the occasion with battle armour. Talking points from early on, Rennes had Bensebaini sent off after just five short minutes only for Alexandre Lacazette's penalty to be saved by Benoit Costil between the sticks. The keeper, who has his look very much locked down, set the tone and the game developed into one of those rather ravishing ties from there on. 
A game where Lyon failed to make the very most of their movement, they dominated the game for large spells, commanding possession in the process not to mention the ever growing shot count. In every angle Lyon, with their high profile starlets shaded the game though it wasn't until the 52nd minute that they took a 1-0 lead. Rennes battling on with sheer resilience, their adapted counter-attacking style paid off having soaked up many a Lyon attack late into the game. Like a sponge that just won't even consider giving in, the final third turned into flow of attacking football from Lyon but Rennes can be proud of their defensive display and shifting towards the 82nd minute, they got their just deserves. Firmin Ndombe Mubele collected the ball from outside the box and placed a left footed finish to send Lyon into a state of shock. 
Holding strong and seeing it through to the finish, the home fans with their flairs and flags, can be pleased with a point game in unforgiving circumstances (having gone down to 10 men in the first 5 minutes) while Lyon will see it as points dropped. Fresh territory crossed with this creative offering, it's a spotlight shone on a stadium and a squad that might not get all the attention but can certainly pack a punch and set a striking tone. We'll go again and enjoy a typically continental offering of French cuisine.
Photography by Malo_A.
