Lens 0 - 1 Stade Rennais FC - Lens lose again

Posted Sunday, March 01, 2015 by PA

Lens' miserable run of form continued after they lost 1-0 at home to Rennes.

Lens' status in Ligue 1 has been the subject of legal challenges over their financial stability and Antoine Kombouare's side were hoping for a lift after seven games without a win.

However it was not to be as Abdoulaye Doucoure's first-half strike settled the encounter at the Stade de la Licorne.

Lens made a bright start and after 10 minutes Baptiste Guillaume freed Pierrick Valdivia in the area, but his effort was deflected to safety by Sylvain Armand.

They went close again just before the half-hour mark when Yoann Touzghar set up Pablo Chavarria near the area, but again Armand was on hand.

Rennes, themselves without a win in 10 matches, took the lead after 36 minutes.

Pedro Henrique made an impressive run down the right before putting in an accurate cross to Doucoure, who headed home with goalkeeper Rudy Riou stranded.

Lens almost struck back a minute before the break when Yoann Touzghar played in Wylan Cyprien, but his effort from distance went just wide.

Lens were again on the attack in the second half and Ahmed Kantari crossed toward the front post to Pierrick Valdivia, but his effort was blocked.

Mouhamadou Habibou shot wide for Rennes from the edge of the area before Doucoure then went close to doubling his tally.

Lens went close to a late leveller when Jean-Philippe Gbamin brought the ball down the left and crossed toward Pablo Chavarria inside the area for a close-range shot, but Benoit Costil made a stunning save to ensure his team held on for the win.