Ligue 1 Round 13: Rennes vs Reims - With Goals from Terrier and Truffert, Rennes Return to Beat Reims 2-1

# Ligue 1 Round 13: Rennes vs. Reims - A Thrilling Victory for Rennes

The thirteenth round of Ligue 1 brought an exciting encounter as Rennes edged past Reims with a 2-1 victory. The match, held at Stade de la Route de la Libération, was a contest of contrasting performances, but in the end, Rennes’ clinical finishing and tactical prowess proved decisive.

### A Dominant First Half for Rennes

The first half was dominated by Rennes, who controlled possession and created numerous chances. However, their finishing lacked precision, and it took until the 32nd minute for them to break the deadlock. A well-executed counter-attack culminated in a pinpoint cross from Terem Moffi, which was met by the head of Rennes’ star striker Amine Harouni. Despite the goal, Rennes continued to probe for more goals, but Reims’ compact defense held firm, preventing them from converting their pressure into more goals.

Reims, despite being on the back foot, showed moments of attacking intent, particularly through their lively forward Boulaye Diomande. However, their chances were few and far between, as Rennes’ midfield duo of Remi Garrouf and Julien Doherty dictated the tempo of the game.

### Second Half Brilliance Secures the Win

The second half saw Rennes take advantage of a tired Reims defense. Just five minutes into the second half, Rennes were ahead again. A clever through ball from Doherty found Terrier, who coolly slotting home from inside the box. Rennes’ lead was doubled in the 63rd minute when Truffert, introduced as a substitute, made an immediate impact. A thunderous strike from outside the box gave Reims’ goalkeeperPredrag Rajcevic no chance, and Rennes were now firmly in control.

Reims responded with a late goal, their first of the match, as Diomande capitalized on a defensive error to reduce the deficit. However, Rennes held on for a hard-fought 2-1 win, which was a just reward for their overall performance.

### Post-Match Reactions

Speaking after the match, Rennes’ head coach, Bruno Genesio, praised his side’s resilience and ability to adapt to Reims’ defensive structure. “We showed great character today,” he said. “Reims made it difficult for us, but we found ways to break them down. We needed this win to stay in the race, and we delivered.”

For Reims, coach Fabrice Moreau expressed frustration at his side’s inability to capitalize on their chances. “We fought hard, but we didn’t take our opportunities in front of goal,” he said. “Rennes are a good team, and they showed why with their goals. We’ll need to improve if we’re going to compete at the higher levels.”

### Conclusion

This match was a testament to Rennes’ growing confidence under Genesio’s leadership, as well as their ability to adapt to different opponents. While Reims will rue their missed chances, Rennes will take pride in their fighting spirit and clinical finishing. Both teams will now look to build on this performance as they aim for a top-half finish in Ligue 1 this season. For Rennes, this win is a significant step forward in their quest for European qualification.