Lille took the points on finishing, with far fewer chances

Rennes 1-2 Lille: the visitors won with well below their usual chances, and Soriba Diaoune was involved in both goals.

Lille won at Roazhon Park with a fraction of the chances Rennes made, and they did it by finishing. Their two goals came from 0.44 expected goals, a figure that adds up how likely each shot was to go in based on where it was taken from. Lille's average in away games this season is 1.25, so this was a visit built on taking the openings they got rather than creating many.

Rennes had the ball for 54%, close to their home average of 55.4%, so possession was no surprise. The real shift came in the chances: 14 shots, below their usual 17, and an expected goals total of 1.49 against a home norm of 2.26. Six of their efforts were blocked before they reached the goal, and only two were on target.

Lille opened the scoring at 24 minutes through Soriba Diaoune, and Rennes replied at 31 when Boulaye Dia scored, with Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal credited with the assist. Nathan Ngoy put Lille back in front at 68, and Diaoune provided the pass. Diaoune had a hand in both Lille goals and finished with the highest rating on the pitch, 8.2, which reflects how much he touched the game at its key moments.

Lille had only eight shots, below their away average of 11, yet they scored twice, which is above the 1.3 goals they usually manage on the road. Rennes conceded two, close to the 2.1 they average at home, so their defence was in its ordinary range. The difference lay at the other end of the pitch, where Lille's few attempts were taken well.

Lille were the more heavily booked side, with three yellow cards to none for Rennes, and they committed 15 fouls to Rennes's 7. Neither side was sent off. Rennes's midfield and attack had more of the ball and more of the chances, yet a blocked shot is one that never gets a chance to test the keeper, and six of theirs ended that way.

Lille's win lifts them to 18 points from nine games, third in the table. Rennes stay fifth on 16 points, having won five of their nine home matches this season, drawn one and lost three.

Player of the matchS. Diaoune1 goal · 1 assist8.2

B. Dia1 goal7.8

A. Ait Boudlal1 assist7.8

N. Ngoy1 goal7.2