OL Comeback Falls Short, Rennes Escape with Win

Rennes entered the contest boasting an impressive five-match unbeaten streak, showcasing confidence in their performances under Julien Stéphan, which was especially evident in the first 45 minutes.

Martin Terrier scored twice, finding the net in the 22nd and 41st minutes while Désiré Doué added a goal in the 36th minute. Rennes controlled the first half and seemed ready for a big away win, but it didn’t materialize.

Lyon had a challenging first half, but despite being three goals down, they didn’t back down and fought back. OL scored two goals to narrow the deficit to 3-2 and had a chance to salvage at least a draw. 

Henrique and Alexandre Lacazette ignited Lyon’s hopes with their goals, as the team had six shots in the second half. Rennes’ second-half performance also contributed to OL’s resurgence in the final 45 minutes. While Rennes had nine total shots in the first half, they managed only two in the second half.

OL couldn’t find that third goal to level the scoring as their comeback fell short. Rennes narrowly escaped with all three points to extend their unbeaten streak to six games. Lyon finished 2023 strong, winning three consecutive Ligue 1 matches, but they’ve now kicked off 2024 with two straight league losses.