Olivier Thomert shines as Lens goes down again

As Lens prepared for the final descent a former Lensois ran his former mates ragged on sunday. Former Lens great Olivier Thomert, much maligned by obnoxious fans at the Stade Felix Bollaert who felt he never lived up to his immense talent, dazzeled the audience in Brittany with his magnificent runs, tight passes and technical brilliance.

THE MATCH

Rennes seemed to cope better with the typically awful conditions of Brittany in the first half.

And they took the lead when former Lensois Jerome Leroy collected a pass from Stephane Mbia and scooped a beautiful lob over a stiff Vedran Runje from 15 yards.

Toifilou Maoulida, who had an early shot tipped aside by Rennes goalkeeper Patrice Luzi, equalised from close range just after the half-hour mark.

Loic Remy’s header from a left-wing free-kick hit the post and Maoulida reacted quickest in the ensuing scramble to power home an easy finish into the top corner of the net.

The hosts had the perfect chance to go back in front in the 42nd minute when they were awarded a penalty after Leroy was chopped down by Adama Coulibaly. A very questionable call indeed.

But Runje guessed the right way and superbly tipped aside Jimmy Briand’s well-struck spot-kick.

From the resulting corner, however, Nadir Belhadj sliced Leroy’s cross from the left side of his foot due to the rainy conditions no doubt and Mikael Pagis stole in at the back post to head in.

But it would once again be the brilliant Thomert who made the game safe eight minutes into the second half, side-footing home into an empty net after more solid work from Leroy.

Leroy struck two more efforts in the final half-hour as Rennes looked to pile it on.

In the end all that was left was a beaten and bruised Lens side who indeed prepares for the final descent.

With PSG’s loss at Lyon the state of French football is in total chaos.

Category: Team News

Tags: france ligue 1, jerome leroy, jimmy briand, Lens, olivier thomert, rennes, Team News, toifilou maoulida, vedran runje

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