Saint-Etienne held at home by Rennes
paris — Saint-Etienne forward Jonathan Bamba salvaged a 2-2 home draw from the penalty spot against Rennes as the 10-time champions missed the chance to go third in the French league late on Sunday.
Oscar Garcia’s team played poorly during an uneventful first half but Saint-Etienne applied more pressure after the interval at Geoffroy Guichard stadium, coming twice from behind.
Saint-Etienne put on an aggressive display early on and Kevin Theophile Catherine escaped a red card at the half-hour mark after a reckless foul on Ismaila Sarr, who was replaced a few minutes later due to injury.
Benjamin Bourigeaud put Rennes in front with a clever lob over ‘keeper Stephane Ruffier in the 41st minute after midfielder Ole Selnaes gave the ball away in front of the area.
Saint-Etienne reacted immediately through Gabriel Silva, who pounced on a cutback pass from captain Loick Perrin.
The second half was more entertaining and Theophile Catherine was again at fault in the 53rd when he pushed Firmin Mubele in the back, giving away a penalty converted by Wahbi Khazri.
Bamba leveled with a well-taken penalty kick with 20 minutes left after Rennes goalkeeper Tomas Koubek fouled Lois Diony in the box.
Both teams could have snatched the three points in the final minutes, but Morgan Amalfitano’s shot at the end of a fast counterattack hit Ruffier’s post moments before Saint-Etienne substitute Kevin Monnet-Paquet sent a header on the woodwork. —