Montpellier HSC welcomed Rennes on Thursday night looking to deny the visitors a chance to move into the top three of Ligue 1.
La Paillade sat just a point above the relegation zone while Les Rouges et Noirs had started the campaign well under new boss Philippe Montanier and had lost just once so far this term.
However, neither side could find a way through and both were forced to settle for a goalless draw.
Read how the match unfolded in our live commentary below.
Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole’s live coverage from Ligue 1 where Montpellier HSC host Rennes at the Stade de la Mosson.
We’ve had a fantastic week of French top-tier action so far over the course of Tuesday and Wednesday, and it should continue tonight with this interesting fixture.
Montpellier are desperate for a win as they sit just a point above the relegation zone, albeit having played a game less that their rivals. Despite that, Jean Fernandez will be hoping that the 2012 champions can mount a challenge for a European spot this season.
Rennes are enjoying a wonderful campaign so far under new manager Philippe Montanier, and have lost just once so far this season. They are unbeaten in their last four matches, and could go third with a comfortable win this evening which would take them to three adrift of leaders AS Monaco.
These two teams go into this game in mixed form. La Paillade threw away a two-goal lead at Evian TG on Saturday night to draw their third match in a row, while Rennes enjoyed a straightforward 2-0 triumph at the expense of Ajaccio on the same day.
Following his side’s draw, Fernandez was not a happy man following Montpellier’s dip in the second half.
"I'm very disappointed given how things turned out," he said.
"I think we played well, taking a two-goal lead and then controlling the match well until Evian hit back with a free-kick, which was a shame, because it opened the match back up.
"I saw some promising things that reassured me about our playing style, and scoring two goals away from home was a positive, but we deserved better."
Meanwhile, Rennes boss Montanier was very pleased with his team’s display at the weekend.
"It was our most complete performance of the season so far. The way we controlled the match pleased me, as did the number of opportunities we had to score. The league table means nothing just now, though. Our only objective is to keep putting together high quality performances."
History in this fixture does not favour Rennes, who have emerged victorious just once in their last seven visits to the Stade de la Mosson, with Montpellier winning 2-0 here last season.
However, despite being unbeaten in their last four matches, Montpellier have won just three of their last 17 games in Ligue 1, so tonight may be a good time for Rennes to make the trip.
Right, let’s bring you the team news for this match, starting with the hosts.
MONTPELLIER XI: Jourdren, Congre, El Kaoutari, Hilton, Jebbour, Cabella, Marveaux, Mounier, Sanson, Bakar, Montano
RENNES XI: Costil, Armand, Danze, Emerson, Hountondji, Bakayoko, Feret, Kondradsen, Pitropipa, Romero, Said
Jean Fernandez makes two changes to the team that drew at Evian on Saturday. Congre and Marveaux come into the team in place of the suspended Tiene and Stambouli.
Philippe Montanier makes five alterations to the team that beat Ajaccio on Saturday. Emerson, Bakayogo, Konradsen, Romero and Said come into the team while Mbengue, Kadir, Makoun, Pajot, Oliveira drop out of the starting XI.
Right, let's take a look at the options that the managers have on the bench tonight.
MONTPELLIER BENCH: Pionnier, Mezague, Dabo, Deza, Martin, Camara, Herrera
RENNES BENCH: Ndiaye, Mbengue, Hunou, Kadir, Makoun, Pajot, Oliveira
The teams are in the tunnel, we're just minutes away from the start of this match.
And out they come, both captains lead the teams out onto the field at Stade de la Mosson.
KICK OFF! We're underway!
Montpellier, playing from right to left are wearing their navy home shirt with orange shorts and navy socks.
Rennes, who are shooting to the left, are sporting their all-white away strip.
Not too much to report in these opening exchanges. Cabella, as usual, is looking pretty energetic, while Romero has already given the ball away a fair bit for Rennes.
This has been a very scrappy start. Neither keeper has had a save to make yet, but Montpellier have had most of the ball.
CHANCE! First opportunity of the night falls to Rennes as Mounier picks up the ball on the edge of the box. But he blazes his shot over.
Worrying times for Montpellier as Cabella goes down injured, he seems in some pain as he receives treatment.
Cabella is ok to continue, you can hear the sigh of relief from Jean Fernandez from here.
CHANCE! Montpellier are fractions away from breaking the deadlock after a lovely flowing move. The ball ends up with Cabella inside the box, who takes a touch and tries to dink it over the keeper, but Costil gets there just in time to clear the danger.
Bad news for Rennes as Said looks like he is going to have to come off. He's started this game well so he will be gutted.
RENNES CHANGE Said is forced off following an earlier challenge with Jourdren when through on goal. Kadir is the man to come on in his place.
Montpellier are in the ascendancy at the moment and bring the ball forward. It ends up at the feet of Sanson, who has options, but he has a pop from distance, which sails well wide.
Montpellier are the only side who like scoring at the moment despite the fact that Rennes have edge the possession count. With the likes of Cabella and Sanson in attack, La Paillade look dangerous when going forward.
CHANCE! Montpellier work the ball forward once more and it comes to Cabella about 25 yards from goal. He takes it upon himself to have a crack from range, but it's too easy for Costil, who gathers it comfortably.
Rennes have their best move of the match, as a long ball is flighted from Armand into the path of Pitroipa. However, the striker can't bring the ball under control and it rolls into the path of Jourdren.
CHANCE! Montpellier should be ahead considering the attacking possession they have donned in this half. Hilton plays a long ball forward which is knocked down by Montano into the path of Cabella. The playmaker hits the shot on the half-volley, but it flies just wide. So close from the hosts.
CHANCE! Amazingly, Rennes have finally had their first opportunity of the night. It's not much of a test for Jourdren though, as Konradsen hits a shot straight at him.
HALF TIME: Montpellier HSC 0-0 Rennes
Decent half despite the lack of goals at the Stade de la Mosson. Montpellier have been on top in terms of attacking chances, despite the fact that Rennes have had more possession.
Cabella has been lively for the home side, and most of the attacking play has come through him or resulted in the midfielder having an effort on goal. However, it remains goalless.
The two teams are back out onto the field.
KICK OFF! The match is back underway.
CHANCE! Montpellier carry on from where they left off and have the first half of the chance as Montano bares down on goal and gets his shot away. He looks certain to be giving the hosts the lead, but Costil pulls off a brilliant sprawling save.
YELLOW CARD Romero is the first man to go into the referee's notebook tonight after a late challenge on Marveaux.
The pace has been a bit lacklustre at the start of this second half, only Montano has had a significant chance so far after the break.
RENNES CHANGE Oliveira comes on in place of Romero, who has been poor tonight.
CHANCE! Montpellier have another opportunity at goal but this time through Bakar. He gets an effort away from the edge of the box after a lovely passing move, but Costil is able to beat it away.
CHANCE! Another chance for Montpellier, this time for Montano. He runs at Armand, but gets too excited to score against his former employers, and therefore blazes his effort over the target.
YELLOW CARD Sanson clatters into Oliveira and gets a yellow for his troubles. The free kick is taken by the striker, but it's staright into the wall and cleared.
SAVE! Montpellier should be in front here. Costil makes a bizarre error and gives the ball straight to Marveaux. However, he can't make the most of his chance and Costil is able to redeem himself with the same.
YELLOW CARD El Kaoutari is the next man to enter the referee's book for a high challenge on Armand.
YELLOW CARD Montano is the next man into the book. Bakayogo is the man who is caught, but he doesn't half make a meal of it.
The game is getting a bit scrappy now, both teams are committing a lot of fouls.
CHANCE! Montpellier back on the attack once more, and it's Cabella again. He has a great chance to score, but can only find the side-netting. Cabella should do better.
SAVE! Armand keeps Rennes in the game! Jebbour plays a brilliant one-two with Montano before lashing his return back at goal but Armand is on hand to make the block.
MONTPELLIER CHANGE Herrera is on in place of Marveaux.
Montpellier have been the better side in this match, but are yet to break the deadlock. Rennes are defending well in this second half, but haven't managed to mount a serious attack yet. This is only heading one way...
MONTPELLIER CHANGE Deza is on for Mounier for Montpellier's final change.
RENNES CHANGE Pajot is brought into the action, while Feret is summoned to the bench.
Heading into the final moments of this match, and it looks as if it is heading to a goalless draw.
We will have four minutes of added time.
So despite Montpellier's attacking dominance, they are have to settle for a draw against a resolute Rennes outfit. To be honest, a point isn't too bad for either side, so I can't imagine that either manager will be too gutted by the result.
That's it from me. I hope you enjoyed the game. Until Saturday, have a good one.
Written by
Matt Cotton
Matt Cotton
