The weeks are getting more intense, and so are the challenges at the weekend. Conditions were ideal, both for the players and the supporters, who turned out in large numbers, with friends or family. After an entertaining but tight-knit first half-hour, it was Estéban Lepaul who rewarded his team’s efforts with a powerful header (37th minute), following a cross from Sebastian Szymański. It was his third goal in three pre-season matches.
Thereafter, as they sought to play a direct game, Franck Haise’s players had a few chances to extend their lead, but to no avail, keeping Ivan Leko’s side in the game. From a corner in the 72nd minute, Kyriani Sabbe capitalised on a cleared ball to strike it into the top corner. Kilian Belazzoug could do nothing about it.
Four minutes later, the young goalkeeper brought the crowd to its feet. A handball was penalised, a penalty awarded, and he produced a masterful save to keep the score at 1–1. With one minute of normal time remaining, Issa Soumaré found space, held his ground and slotted the ball into the far corner.
Given the gruelling week of training in Dinard and the players’ tired legs, our Rennes side put on an impressive display on this beautiful, sunny Saturday. The next test comes in eight days’ time, in Istanbul, against Galatasaray SK.
The Rouge et Noir match report:
Kilian Belazzoug, Quentin Merlin (Mahamadou Nagida 32e), Anthony Rouault (Lilian Brassier 32e), Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal (Anthony Rouault 62e), Przemysław Frankowski (Quentin Merlin 62e), Adrien Thomasson, Sebastian Szymański, Mahdi Camara (c), Issa Soumaré, Ludovic Blas, Estéban Lepaul
Coach: Franck Haise
Line-up Club Bruges KV :
Yann Sommer, Kyriani Sabbe, Jorne Spileers, Samba Coulibaly, Bjorn Meijer, Raphael Onyedika, Cisse Sandra, Hugo Vetlesen, Romeo Vermant, Nicolò Tresoldi, Carlos Forbs
Substitutes :
Argus Vanden Driessche, Axl De Corte, Hugo Siquet, Samuel Gomez Van Hoogen, Wout Verlinden, Andre Garcia, Cheveyo Tsawa, Lynnt Audoor, Félix Lemaréchal, Gianluca Okon, Andrej Vasovic, Naïm Amengai, Andrej Vasovic, Mamadou Diakhon, Tian Nai Koren
Coach: Ivan Leko
Goals:
Estéban Lepaul (37e) et Issa Soumaré (89e) pour le SRFC ; Kyriani Sabbe pour Club Bruges (72e)
Coach Franck Haise’s reaction:
«It’s been a mixed day, though the afternoon went very well. Overall, we played a very good match. I didn’t think we’d be quite so ready. We didn’t perform well this morning (editor’s note: a 1–3 defeat at US Saint-Malo), but we’re making good progress. A special mention for Kilian Belazzoug – he often made the right decisions and saved a penalty. New signings Adrien Thomasson and Issa Soumaré put in a brilliant performance and linked up really well with the rest of the team. Valentin Rongier? There’s no set timeframe; it’ll depend on how he feels.»
