RECAP: WEEKEND FRENCH ACTION Sunday, November 9, 2008
Carlos Bocanegra and Rennes' defensive prowess continued this weekend in France while the rest of the Americans in the country were spectators.
St. Etienne 0 - 3 Rennes
Carlos Bocanegra and Rennes added to their growing tally of shutouts this season and moved up to fourth place in France with their win Sunday night away from Route de Lorient Stadium.
Mickael Pagis who was uncertain to play because of a nagging injury was very active and dangerous throughout the contest.
In just the 13th minute of play, Rennes striker Jimmy Briand found the foot of Pagis inside the St. Etienne box after a wayward clearance from Yohan Benalouane left Les Verts dangerously exposed.
Pagis made no mistake with his opportunity and slotted the ball home to give Rennes an early advantage.
The host's play in the second half continued in the same desperately uninspiring fashion as the first. After eight minutes the deficit was doubled and after 10, the green and white were down three.
The ever dangerous Pagis rifled a volley at St. Etienne goalie Jody Viviani whose diving effort left an easy tap in for an opportunistic Rod Fanni.
With their spirits crushed, the man of the night, Pagis, once more found his way on the scorer's sheet and put the game out of reach of Les Verts just minutes later.
Committing too many numbers forward, St. Etienne left themselves exposed at the back, and a quick counter attack put Pagis in behind the defense on his way to his second of the night.
Despite his club's midweek UEFA Cup win, Laurent Roussey's future with the club is still very uncertain. Now in the bottom three, Les Verts have not won a League 1 game in over a month. Desperate for a good result, St. Etienne travel to Lille next weekend.
With the win, Bocanegra and Rennes climb to fourth place in the standings with 22 points.
The American left back will be expected to put in another strong performance on the flank when his club takes on Le Havre in League Cup action on Wednesday.
Notes
Freddy Adu was on the bench but did not play in Monaco's 1-0 loss to league leaders Lyon on Saturday at the Louis II Stadium. Next up, Adu and Monaco take on Bocanegra and Rennes in an All-American showdown.
Andrew Jacobsen did not dress for FC Lorient's 1-0 loss to Nice on Saturday and is unlikely to travel to the Velodrome next weekend when his club takes on Marseille.
In Ligue 2 action, Quentin Westberg will watch from the bench when Les troyes do battle against Boulogne on Monday night.
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