Rennes delivered a commanding 3-0 victory against Auxerre at the Stade de l'Abbé Deschamps in their latest Ligue 1 encounter. Mahdi Camara was the star of the afternoon, netting twice as his side effectively put the game to bed before halftime. The defeat leaves Auxerre searching for answers as they struggle to find consistency in the league.
Camara’s First-Half Dominance
The match began with a quick pace as Auxerre thought they had opened the scoring when Lassine Sinayoko found the back of the net in the 17th minute, only for VAR to disallow the goal due to offside. Just three minutes later, Rennes capitalized on their chance, with Camara breaking the deadlock in the 20th minute. Two minutes on, Enzo Lepaul doubled the lead, assisted by Sebastian Szymanski, leaving the home side shell-shocked. Camara struck again right before the halftime whistle, finishing a well-crafted move with an assist from Mousa Tamari.
A Frustrating Afternoon for Auxerre
The second half saw Auxerre attempting to claw their way back into the game, making a series of substitutions early on. However, Rennes' defense stood firm, absorbing pressure and maintaining their clean sheet. Auxerre managed 11 shots but failed to convert any, illustrating their struggles in front of goal. Rennes, enjoying 57% of possession, controlled the tempo and thwarted Auxerre’s efforts with disciplined defending and strategic fouls.
Future Prospects
With this win, Rennes continue their inconsistent run in the league, a pattern marked by previous defeats against stronger sides. Mahdi Camara's standout performance, highlighted by his two goals and an impressive player rating, will provide confidence as they look to challenge higher up the table. Auxerre, meanwhile, must address their finishing woes, as they remain winless in recent games, adding pressure on the squad to rediscover their early-season form.
