Rennes surge to Ligue 1 summit with emphatic win over Strasbourg

Rennes moved six places to the top of Ligue 1 after beating struggling Strasbourg 3-0 at Roazhon Park.

The Red and Blacks extended their unbeaten home run to nine matches with a commanding performance, while Strasbourg’s fourth consecutive league defeat left them in the relegation play-off position.

The opening half-hour was short on attacking quality, with neither team able to establish a consistent rhythm in the final third. Diogo Sousa sent an effort wide after 10 minutes, before Giovanni Reyna saw a header saved for the hosts.

Rennes eventually broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark. Przemyslaw Frankowski’s pass into the penalty area picked out an unmarked Boulaye Dia, who finished first time to put the home side ahead.

The goal increased the pressure on Le Racing and extended their run without a clean sheet to 16 Ligue 1 matches.

Dia had remained unbeaten in his previous 29 goalscoring appearances for club and country, and Rennes soon strengthened their position before the interval. Four minutes before half-time, Mahamadou Nagida’s ball across the area reached Sebastian Szymanski, who struck a first-time finish beyond Filip Jorgensen.

Strasbourg needed a quick response after the restart if they were to recover, but instead Rennes added a third shortly after the hour.

Szymanski collected possession 25 yards from goal before producing a superb left-footed curling effort. His shot beat Jorgensen and went in off the underside of the crossbar, completing his double and effectively settling the match.

The visitors offered little in the second half and did not manage a single shot on target. Rennes were able to see out the remainder of the game comfortably, securing a victory that lifted them to the summit.

Strasbourg’s latest defeat leaves them in the relegation play-off place after a difficult run of results. Rennes, meanwhile, head the Ligue 1 table and have continued their strong form at home.

Sebastian Szymanski was named Flashscore Man of the Match.