Tim Weah had the biggest impact of any Americans in midweek Ligue 1 action, as Konrad de la Fuente also started, and Eric Palmer-Brown remains MIA.
Rennes 1 – 2 Lille
After sharing the points with Nantes over the weekend, Lille picked up all three in their midweek fixture on the road against Stade Rennes.
Both of the Dogues goals came in the first half, with number one coming from Xeka, and then Renato Sanchez claiming the game winner just before the intermission.
Tim Weah put in an 80-minute shift on the right flank and also assisted on the opening goal. The hosts picked up a consolation strike in the 85th minute.
The attack that produced the opening goal started with a long ball from midfield that picked out the American as he entered the right side of the 18-yard box. With defender Adrien Truffert trying to keep pace, Weah spotted his Portuguese colleague Xeka running into the middle of the box and laid off the ball for the shot struck from eight yards out. The goal came in the 31st minute.
Sanchez seemed to be in two minds when his goal came. After the ball came across the box for him that was too wide, he chased it down, turned and dribbled back into the area. Having the option to pick up a team mate more centrally, he instead took the shot and belted it into the inside netting of the far post.
The lone Rennes goal came with the help of poor Dogues defending. Benjamin Bourigeaud struck from just at the top of the 6-yard box and sent it right now the middle of the goal.
Lille will be at home this weekend for a Yank vs Yank clash that likely won’t happen as Troyes, probably without Eric Palmer-Brown, comes to town.
Notes
Marseille attacker Konrad de la Fuente started on the left side of his team’s midfield, playing 66 minutes as they held on to a narrow 1-0 road win over ten-man Nantes on Wednesday.
Nicholas Gioacchini was given a few garbage minutes as Montpellier picked up a 3-1 road win over Metz. Montpellier will host Clermont on Sunday afternoon.
Troyes remembered how to win with a 3-2 home victory over Lorient. Eric Palmer-Brown did not make the bench, so expect him to find a new team in January. Up next however for Troyes is a trip to Lille to take on Tim Weah’s French champions.
