Rennes 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur: Nuno’s Side Held on Europa Conference League Opener

Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-2 draw with Rennes in the Europa League on Thursday has seen them fall behind early into their campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur was held to a 2-2 draw by Rennes in their Europa League opener. The match was played at the Stade de la Beaujoire, with Nuno Santo’s side taking the lead through Moussa Sissoko before Harry Kane equalised for Spurs.

In the first half, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg took over for the injured Steven Bergwijn.

Tottenham came back from a goal down to draw their Europa League opener against Rennes.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s team took the lead when Lucas Moura’s low cross was diverted into his own goal by Rennes defender Loic Bade in a game where the tide shifted constantly.

After falling down, the hosts pressed for an equaliser and were rewarded when Flavien Tait exchanged a fast one-two with Serhou Guirassy before curling a shot past Pierluigi Gollini from the outside of the box.

Rennes had the better opportunities in the second half, and Gaetan Laborde’s close-range goal gave them the lead on 72 minutes.

Spurs rescued a point four minutes later when substitute Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg hit the bottom corner from Matt Doherty’s cross.

Nuno made eight changes from the 3-0 loss at Crystal Palace on Saturday, with just Harry Kane, Lucas Moura, and Japhet Tanganga remaining.

Spurs are running out of offensive alternatives as the injury list gets longer.

Spurs were missing injured Son Heung-min and Eric Dier for their trip to Brittany, while Giovani Lo Celso, Cristian Romero, and Davinson Sanchez are still training in Croatia after breaking Premier League rules and flying to South America for World Cup qualifiers last week.

With Vitesse of the Netherlands and NS Mura of Slovenia joining Spurs and Rennes in Group G, Nuno’s side’s journey to Roazhon Park was always going to be the toughest test in the group.

Spurs, on the other hand, got out to a strong start and showed promise early on, but they required a little of luck to find an opportunity. Moura’s cross deflected off Bade and in at the near post, completing a move begun by a fantastic Tanguy Ndombele backheel.

However, as the hosts began to dominate chances and scored two goals either side of half-time, there were new injury concerns for the Premier League side when Steven Bergwijn was forced off on the half-hour mark after appearing to aggravate the ankle injury that had kept him out of the defeat at Selhurst Park.

After a hard tackle from Rennes’ second striker Tait, Moura hobbled off early in the second half, leaving Spurs limited on offensive options against a Rennes team eager for an upset.

On a night when Kane set a new club record for most European appearances, the Spurs captain was held to only one shot on target and replaced by Emerson 10 minutes into the second half.

Nuno’s team have plenty to work on as they seek for their first victory in three games following an outstanding undefeated start to the season, with games against Chelsea, Wolves, and Arsenal all to play in the league this month.

Match Player of the Year

Tel Mathys Telephone

Line-ups

Rennes

4-1-4-1 formation

• 1Salin
• 27 Traoré
• 4 Badé
• 6 Aguerd3Truffert
• 8 Santamaría
• 24 Laborde
• 14 Bourigeaud
• 20 Tait
• 10 Sulemana
• 9 Guirassy
• 1 Salin
• 27 Traoré
• 4 Badé
• 6 Aguerd
• At 79’minutes, 3Truffert was substituted by Meling.
• 8 Santamaría At 86’minutes, he was replaced by Martin. It’s been scheduled for 90 minutes.
• 24 Laborde
• 14 Bourigeaud
• 20 Tait
• Ugochukwuat was replaced by 10 Sulemana for 79 minutes.
• Telat 90+2’minutes was replaced by 9 Guirassy.

Substitutes

• 16Gomis
• 18Abline
• 19Diouf
• 22Assignon
• 23Omari
• 25Meling
• 26Ugochukwu
• 28Martin
• 30Bonet
• 37Tchaouna
• 39Tel

Tottenham

4-2-3-1 formation

• 22 Gollini
• 2 Doherty
• 25 Tanganga
• 14 Rodon
• 33 Davies
• Alliat was replaced by 28 Ndombele for 79 minutes.
• 29 Skipp
• At 54’minutes, 27 Lucas Moura was substituted for Scarlett.
• 11 Gil Reserved for 82 minutes
• 30’ minutes Bergwijn Substituted for Hjbjergat
• At 54’minutes, 10 Kane was substituted by Leite de Souza Junior.

Substitutes

• 1 Lloris
• 3 Reguilón
• 5 Højbjerg
• 8 Winks
• 12 Junior Leite de Souza
• 20 Alli
• 40 Austin
• 43 John
• 44 Scarlett
• 46 Fagan-Walcott
• 49 Omole
• 54 Markanday

Live Text

1. Rennes 2 Tottenham Hotspur 2 is the final score.
2. Rennes 2 Tottenham Hotspur 2 at the conclusion of the second half.
3. For handball, Jonas Martin (Rennes) receives a yellow card.
4. Jonas Martin’s handball (Rennes).
5. Ben Davies was called for a foul (Tottenham Hotspur).
6. In the defensive half, Gatan Laborde (Rennes) earns a free kick.
7. Rennes, please make a replacement. Serhou Guirassy is replaced by Mathys Tel.
8. The attempt was unsuccessful. The header from the middle of the box by Tottenham Hotspur’s Joe Rodon comes near, but it misses to the left. Following a set piece scenario, Pierre-Emile Hjbjerg assisted with a cross.
9. Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
10. Loic Badé was called for a foul (Rennes).
11. In the defensive half, Emerson Royal (Tottenham Hotspur) earns a free kick.
12. Flavien Tait commits a foul (Rennes).
13. Rennes’s corner. Matt Doherty made the concession.
14. Attempt was thwarted. The right footed shot of Serhou Guirassy (Rennes) from the left side of the box is blocked. Flavien Tait assisted.
15. Rennes, please make a replacement. Baptiste Santamara is replaced by Jonas Martin.
16. The attempt was unsuccessful. The right-footed shot from outside the box by Baptiste Santamara (Rennes) is too high. Benjamin Bourigeaud assisted.
17. Tottenham Hotspur’s Bryan Gil receives a yellow card for a harsh foul.
18. Bryan Gil commits a foul (Tottenham Hotspur).
19. In the defensive half, Rennes’ Hamari Traoré earns a free kick.
20. Oliver Skipp commits a foul (Tottenham Hotspur).