Rennes dominate Marseille to leave Champions League spot up for grabs going into final matchday in Ligue 1

Rennes dominated Marseille to win 2-0 and leave Ligue 1’s Champions League places undecided going into the final day. From the opening minute, when Martin Terrier pounced on a loose ball and whipped a dangerous ball into the box, the home side dominated. Ad/> Marseille will finish this season as Ligue 1’s best away team in terms of points won but they showed no evidence of that quality at Roazhon Park.

UEFA Europa Conference LeagueFeyenoord stand firm to secure draw at Marseille and spot in final05/05/2022 AT 18:12 Such was the home side’s dominance that their opening goal came as no surprise, still less surprising was the fact that Terrier was at the heart of it. The French forward raced onto a through ball before bypassing five Marseille defenders with a pass to Benjamin Bourigeaud. When Rennes doubled their lead 20 minutes later, Terrier was key again.

Charging down the left touchline, Terrier whipped in an excellent ball which found Lovro Majer. Terrier could have sealed victory before halftime when Bourigeaud found time and space to fire in a cross but, perhaps for the first time, a Marseille defender was able to get a block in. Half-time came and went with little impact on the balance of play.

Rennes continued to dominate and Marseille somehow seemed to be outnumbered in defence, midfield and attack with veteran goalkeeper Steven Mandanda easily their most influential player. The visitors, who have the division's best away record, started the match without a recognised striker on the pitch and Jorge Sampaoli dallied in making a change despite his team’s struggles. It was no coincidence that when Bamba Dieng was introduced on 65 minutes, Marseille had their best spell.