Olympique Lyon has shot at the top of the Ligue 1 on Wednesday evening. The team of trainer Rudi Garcia had a hard time at home against Stade Rennes, but struck fifteen minutes before the end: 1-0. Memphis Depay, who was pulled to the side ten minutes before the end, once again proved his worth by providing the assist with the goal of Houssem Aouar. Lyon now has as many points as Lille OSC, which comes into action later in the evening. Paris Saint-Germain, which has two points less, also continues the catch-up race on Wednesday evening.
Lyon had very little to fear in the first act from the out of shape Rennes. The visitors lost in the last four official games and are already waiting six games for a victory in competition. Despite the field predominance in the first half, there was a long wait for the first danger, which came from Depay’s foot just before half time. The captain was set free in front of goalkeeper Alfred Gomis, but had to watch how the Senegalese kept his goal clean. Just before that, Lason Denayer prevented a hit for Rennes with an extreme effort.
In the second half there was significantly more to enjoy and it was Depay again who showed up dangerously in front of Gomis. The Dutchman crawled into the box from the left side of the field, but saw his attempt in the short corner cracked. A shot by Aouar of about twenty meters could not be promoted to a goal. The Frenchman gave his attempt a difficult bounce, but saw how Gomis acted by boxing the ball to the side.
When Garcia then brought Tino Kadewere into the lines, Lyon seemed to take the lead via the attacker from Zimbabwe. The striker was in the right place after a cross from Depay, but worked the ball in from close by in an offside position. Barely five minutes later it was hit. Depay hit to the right of the penalty area in a scuffle with defender Nayef Aguerd, but got the ball admirably in front of goal, where Aouar was ready to finish: 1-0. Rennes was unable to undo that blow in the final phase.