Nothing goes right for Julien Stéphan, and the same goes for Montpellier. Last week’s timid 1-0 victory over Le Havre did little to reassure anyone. And coach Stéphan’s Stade rennais took a beating at Auxerre (3-0) on Sunday, during the Ligue 1 matchday 10. Les Bourguignons are 10th in the rankings. Rennes dropped back to 13th place. In the match of fear, HAC defeated Montpellier (1-0). With a number of low-ranked teams winning at the weekend, Le Havre are now in 17th place, ahead of MHSC, who are still in last place.

Rennes beaten

Julien Stéphan’s days on the Rennes bench may well be numbered. With a squad designed to play at the top end of the table, results are not forthcoming. Nor have they come at the Abbé-Deschamps, an impregnable fortress where AJA have won four of their five games this season. What a performance from Christophe Pélissier’s men! From the outset, chances were rife for the home side. Auxerre’s Danes were on the front foot (5th, 9th), before being surprised by a Rennes goal after Donovan Léon had been fouled (11th). The goal was eventually disallowed for an attacking hand, as VAR was called into action. A warning that shook up the much more attack-minded Auxerre. Although Mandanda was saved by his post (22nd), Gaëtan Perrin logically opened the scoring for his side (1-0, 27th) before claiming his first double in Ligue 1 (2-0, 39th). Rennes without a solution, Auxerre in control (2-0 MT).

Despite several attacking changes, the Bretons failed to get back on track in the second half. Worse still, Kalimuendo saw another goal disallowed and Mandanda took two more. A penalty from Lassine Sinayoko (3-0, 65th) and a late goal from former Toulouse player Ado Onaiwu (4-0, 90+2).

Montpellier just can’t do it any more

The other match of the day, a real match of fear between a Havre side on the back of six defeats and a Montpellier side plagued by injuries and having lost their last four matches, MHSC travelled to the Stade Océane to face Le Havre in a match of fear. A starter in the Hérault defense, former Napoli defender Maksimovic put an end to several hot situations (23rd) in a start to the match that was typical of two low-ranked teams, with a number of technical errors. Despite their clear domination, Les Ciel et Marine struggled to create any real danger. With the exception of a fine intervention by Lecomte (29th) and a ball that skimmed the post (38th), Normandy fans had little to cheer about in the first half (0-0 MT).

Not much better after the break, in fact… It was a lucky penalty that broke the deadlock. The unfortunate Falaye Sacko touched the ball with his hand in the penalty area. Unintentional, but punishable (72nd). The penalty was easily converted by captain Abdoulaye Touré (1-0, 72nd). HAC then held firm at the back to hold on for the all-important result (1-0 final score). “It wasn’t great soccer, but we wanted to take the three points, that’s the main thing”.Le Havre defender Gautier Lloris rightly told DAZN. “We need to use it as a starting point for our next matches”..