Rennes vs Lyon Player Ratings: Rennes Mounts Stunning Late Comeback to Win 3-1

What an absolutely wild game of football we just witnessed. For 75 minutes, Olympique Lyonnais looked to be cruising to a comfortable away victory at Roazhon Park. They were organized, disciplined, and had the lead thanks to an early header from their captain.

From our perspective, it felt like Rennes had run out of ideas. Corentin Tolisso's 14th-minute goal had set the tone, and Lyon seemed content to manage the game from there. The home side huffed and puffed but couldn't blow the house down. It was a professional, if unspectacular, away performance in this Ligue 1 fixture.

Then, the entire complexion of the match changed in an instant. The 75th-minute red card for Tyler Morton was the catalyst for a complete and utter capitulation from the visitors. Suddenly, Rennes smelled blood. They equalized through Anthony Rouault before an own goal and a late strike from a substitute sealed a dramatic 3-1 win that seemed impossible just 20 minutes earlier. A stunning collapse from Lyon and a memorable comeback for Rennes.

Olympique Lyonnais Player Ratings vs Rennes

Goalkeeper

Rémy Descamps - 4.0: What can you even say? He was having a relatively quiet night and made a couple of decent saves. But the game will be remembered for his catastrophic own goal. It was a moment of pure panic that gifted Rennes the lead and broke his team's back. A truly disastrous end to his match.

Defenders

Abner - 6.0: For most of the game, we thought he was having a solid performance. He made some key tackles and interceptions, looking comfortable. However, once the pressure was on in the final 15 minutes, he struggled. He was part of a defensive unit that completely lost its head and crumbled under the late onslaught.

Moussa Niakhaté - 6.0: Much like his defensive partners, he was composed and effective for 75 minutes. He read the game well and made six clearances. But when his team went down to ten men, he couldn't organize the backline. The late goals were a result of collective chaos, and he was right in the middle of it.

Clinton Mata - 5.5: He blocked an incredible five shots, which shows he was putting his body on the line. But that also shows how much pressure the defense was under late on. He picked up a yellow card and was ultimately overwhelmed by the relentless Rennes attack after the red card.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles - 6.5: One of the few bright spots for Lyon. He provided a lovely assist for Tolisso's goal and worked tirelessly. He tried to contribute at both ends of the pitch. However, he couldn't stem the tide defensively when everything fell apart. His rating is saved by his attacking contribution.

Midfielders

Tanner Tessmann - 6.5: A really industrious performance in the heart of midfield. He won the majority of his duels and used the ball intelligently. What stood out to us was his effort. He never stopped running. But even he couldn't wrestle back control when the game descended into chaos.

Adam Karabec - 6.0: An okay performance before he was forced off with an injury. He had a great chance to score but couldn't convert it. He looked tidy in possession but didn't have a major impact on the proceedings. His departure seemed to disrupt Lyon's rhythm a little.

Corentin Tolisso - 8.0: The best player in a Lyon shirt by a country mile. He scored the opening goal with a powerful header and was immense in midfield. He won nine duels and was a constant source of energy. He deserved so much more from this game. A true captain's performance that was let down by his teammates.

Malick Fofana - 5.0: We were really disappointed with his performance. He was anonymous for large stretches. He lost possession a staggering 17 times and struggled to beat his man. A really ineffective and frustrating outing where he offered next to nothing.

Tyler Morton - 3.0: He single-handedly lost his team the game. Until his red card, he was playing reasonably well, dictating play from deep. But his reckless challenge in the 75th minute was an act of pure stupidity. It changed everything and led directly to his team's collapse. An unforgivable error.

Forwards

Khalis Merah - 5.5: He missed two big chances that could have put the game to bed for Lyon. His work rate was there, but his final product was seriously lacking. In a game of fine margins, you need your striker to be clinical, and he simply wasn't.

Substitutes

Rachid Ghezzal, Pavel Sulc, Ruben Kluivert - N/A: They were thrown on during a period of complete chaos after the red card. It's impossible to give them a fair rating as they had little chance to influence the game in a meaningful way.

Manager

P. Rodrigues Fonseca - 5.0: For 75 minutes, his game plan was perfect. His team was in complete control. However, the inability to reorganize and see out the game after going down to ten men falls on him. His side completely capitulated, and he seemed to have no answers from the touchline.

Rennes Player Ratings vs Olympique Lyonnais

Goalkeeper

Brice Samba - 7.5: He kept his team in the match when they were second best. He made four important saves, including a crucial one to deny Khalis Merah. His calm presence gave his defenders confidence. A very strong performance between the sticks.

Defenders

Anthony Rouault - 8.0: What a performance. Not only was he solid defensively, but he popped up with the vital equalizing goal that sparked the incredible comeback. He was composed on the ball and strong in the tackle. A goal and a win is a pretty good day at the office.

Quentin Merlin - 7.0: A constant menace down the left flank. He was diligent with his defensive duties but really came alive in the final 20 minutes. His crossing and energy caused Lyon all sorts of problems as they tired. A very energetic and impactful display.

Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal - 6.0: He had a steady if unspectacular first half. He didn't make any glaring errors but was sacrificed at halftime as his manager looked to change the team's attacking impetus. A decent 45 minutes.

Jérémy Jacquet - 7.0: A very mature and composed performance at the back. His passing from defense was excellent, with an 91% accuracy rate. He made some important interceptions and stood firm when Lyon were on top. A really promising display.

Midfielders

Djaoui Cissé - 7.0: He was a bundle of energy in the midfield. He made five tackles and was constantly trying to break up play and drive his team forward. His shooting was a bit wayward, but his commitment and work rate were outstanding before he was substituted.

Ludovic Blas - 6.5: A bit of a mixed performance from him. He drew several fouls and created three chances, but he also lost possession too often for our liking. He kept fighting, however, and played his part in the eventual midfield dominance.

Valentin Rongier - 6.5: The captain led by example with his tireless work. He kept possession ticking over and tried to inject some urgency into his team's play. It wasn't his most spectacular game, but he was a steady and reliable presence throughout.

Przemyslaw Frankowski - 6.0: From our perspective, he had a very frustrating first half. He picked up a silly yellow card and struggled to make an impact on the game. It was no surprise to see him taken off at halftime as things just weren't working for him.

Forwards

Breel Embolo - 6.0: A very strange performance. He gave away eight fouls which is far too many. However, his physicality was a constant nuisance for the Lyon defenders. He didn't offer much of a goal threat, but his role as a battering ram created space for others to exploit.

Estéban Lepaul - 5.5: He was almost completely anonymous. With only 12 touches in 90 minutes, he was a passenger in the game. He offered no threat and struggled to get involved in the play at all. A very quiet and ineffective night.

Substitutes

Mohamed Meïté - 8.5 (Man of the Match): What an unbelievable impact. He came on and completely changed the game. His relentless energy forced the own goal, and he then scored the third himself with a great header. A truly game-winning substitution. He was the difference-maker.

Alidu Seidu, Mousa Tamari, Seko Fofana - 7.5: All the substitutes played their part. They brought fresh energy and quality that Lyon couldn't handle. Tamari's cross for the third goal was sublime. They were crucial to the comeback.

Manager

H. Beye - 8.0: He deserves immense credit. He saw his team was struggling and made brave changes at halftime. His second-half substitutions, particularly the introduction of Mohamed Meïté, were tactical masterstrokes that won his team the game. A brilliant piece of management.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match goes to Mohamed Meïté of Rennes