Stade Rennais FC secured their first Europa League win on Thursday with a 2-1 comeback victory over OFI Crete at Roazhon Park. The French side overturned a poor first-half performance with two late goals to claim a vital three points.
The match started poorly for the hosts. Taxiarchis Fountas put the Greek side ahead in the 10th minute, capitalising on a defensive error from Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal. Stade Rennais FC dominated possession (67%) and created numerous chances thereafter but struggled to break down a stubborn defence.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the closing stages. Mahamadou Nagida, decisive for both goals according to the match analysis, fired home the equaliser in the 76th minute. Then, deep into added time, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal redeemed his earlier mistake by heading in the winner from a corner.
This win takes Stade Rennais to four points in the Europa League league stage. It provides a welcome boost after a run of five Ligue 1 games without a win, comprising four losses and a draw. Top scorer Élie Lepaul, who has four goals this season, was kept off the scoresheet on the night. The result also ended a negative run of three consecutive European matches without scoring a goal.
Attention now turns to a tough domestic fixture. The team travels to face Paris FC in Ligue 1 this Sunday, 18 October, with a 17:15 kick-off. The upcoming fixtures will be key as they look to improve their standing in the league table. The club is also managing a squad with 22 players currently injured, a factor affecting the team's depth.
On October 16, the club released footage of the post-match reactions to the 2-1 win over OFI Crete. The manager highlighted the team's character. "They showed a real will to win," said the coach. This European victory, with goals from Mahamadou Nagida and Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, breaks a run of four consecutive Ligue 1 defeats.
On October 16th, goalscorer Mahamadou Nagida reacted to his decisive goal against OFI Crete. The full-back scored his first goal of the season in the 76th minute of the 2-1 win. "I am proud for the group, for the team and for the supporters," Nagida told reporters. His last goal was on February 8, 2025. The club faces Paris FC this Sunday, October 18th.
On October 17, the club published a statistical preview of the next opponent. Paris FC, 5th with 11 points, suffered its first defeat at Lorient. Stade Rennais, who beat OFI Crete 2-1 on October 15, has the best attack in the league with 12 goals. SRFC won both of last season's meetings against PFC. The match will take place this Sunday, October 18 at 5:15 PM at the Stade Jean-Bouin.
