GOURCUFF SINKS RENNES
Ligue 1 > Match Reports
11/08/2012
11/08/2012
Yoann Gourcuff got OL's season off to a winning start in Rennes on Saturday, his glorious 15th-minute volley enough to secure a 1-0 win against the ten-man Rennes
Stade Rennais FC
Olympique Lyonnais 
After a mixed pre-season, Lyon followed up on their Trophée des Champions win over Montpellier with another morale-boosting victory, this time over Rennes, who should prove to be one of OL's direct rivals for a European place this season.
Shot in the arm
While OL have certainly had easier season openers in the past, their performance in Brittany showcased the kind of tenacity and ruthless efficiency that helped them string together seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles in the early noughties, scoring with their first chance on a tough match and then showing the steel to defend their lead.
What's more, the goal came from a player whose form has been a concern since his multi-million Euro move from Bordeaux two seasons ago, and Gourcuff did it in style as he deftly sprang the off-side trap and turned home a clinical volley from Jimmy Briand's inch-perfect cross (15').
Kembo sees red
It was far from a walk in the park for OL, however, with Turkey international Mevlut Erding firing narrowly wide minute after Gourcuff's strike, but Reemi Garde's men were faced with less danger after Jirès Kembo-Ekoko saw red for a high challenge on Rémy Vercoutre that saw his boot catch the outspoken reserve 'keeper - in for a Hugo Lloris knocked out by a virus - full in the face (29').
Rennes did manage to keep Lyon at bay, Ghana's John Boye getting just enough pressure on a runaway Gueïda Fofana to force the France youth international to fire inches wide (41') and Antonetti's men showed a tough team spirit despite their legs running out on them as the game progressed.
Bafétimbi Gomis, OL's top scorer last season, had a chance to kill off the match on the hour mark, but was unable to nod home from close range when he was caught off-guard by Alexandre Lacazette's powerful cross-cum-shot.
Doubtless Rennes were hoping for better in their return to Ligue 1 competition, but for OL, the result was the perfect way signal their intention of fighting their way back into the Champions League places after last season missing out for the first time in 13 years.
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