Stade Rennais FC ended a poor run of form with a commanding 3-0 victory over Strasbourg at Roazhon Park on Sunday 25 October, a result that sends them to the top of Ligue 1. A brace from Sebastian Szymański and an opener from Boulaye Dia secured a clean win that erases the memory of their recent streak of zero wins, one draw and four defeats. This win follows a 4-3 defeat at Paris FC on 18 October and a 2-2 draw at Juventus on 22 October.
Manager Haise set his side up in a 5-3-2 formation, with Brice Samba in goal and a midfield trio of Rongier, Mahdi Camara and Szymański. The hosts took control early. Boulaye Dia broke the deadlock in the 34th minute with a curled finish from a Przemysław Frankowski assist. Seven minutes later, Sebastian Szymański doubled the lead with a header from a Mahamadou Nagida cross.
The Polish midfielder completed his brace and sealed the points on the hour mark, slotting home after being set up by Mousa Al-Tamari. Strasbourg, reduced to ten men after Pape Demba Diop's late red card, never truly threatened. The match stats reflected Stade Rennais FC's dominance with 15 shots and five on target, compared to 12 and four for the visitors.
The key man
Sebastian Szymański was the match-winner with his two goals. His movement between the lines and clinical finishing made the difference. "He's a magician!" the club tweeted after the game. The attacking midfielder is now a central figure in Haise's system.
This win puts Stade Rennais FC at the summit of the league, a timely boost ahead of a tough away trip to face Nice on Saturday 31 October. The squad will however be without E. Lepaul, currently sidelined and the team's top scorer this season with seven goals. His absence will be a test for the Stade Rennais FC attack. The next challenge is on 31 October at the Allianz Riviera.
Racing Club de Strasbourg has published the official match sheet for the 3-0 defeat at Stade Rennais FC. The Alsatian club confirms the details of the Ligue 1 McDonald's Matchday 8 fixture. It states that the referee was Mr. Buquet. The Stade Rennais FC lineup is detailed, showing the second-half substitutions of Blas, Cissé, Merlin, Mayenda, and Thomasson. Stade Rennais FC's last result remains its 3-0 victory over Strasbourg on October 25.
