Rennes lost to Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday in Warsaw in the round of 16 first leg of the Europa League (2-1).
Confined to friendly matches since the beginning of the year, while the Ukrainian Premier League, inevitably impacted by the conflict with Russia, has been in a truce since the end of November, Shakhtar has nevertheless appeared well in legs this Thursday to host Stade Rennais in Warsaw, Poland.
More enterprising and sharp at the start of the game, the Donetsk club quickly took the lead in this 16e first leg of the Europa League, on a goal by Kryskiv scored at the expense of a Mandanda totally abandoned by his defense (1-0, 11e). A double advantage just before the break, on a penalty awkwardly conceded and transformed by Bondarenko (2-0, 45e+1).
Returning from the locker room, Toko Ekambi revived the Breton machine well after a good cross from Doku (2-1, 59e) – a first Rennes goal for the striker on loan from OL which unfortunately was not enough. The men of Genesio, who had the opportunities to do better this evening – suffer a third defeat in a row – the fifth in six outings in all competitions. There is an urgent need to straighten the bar. Against Clermont this weekend in the league and against the same Shakhtar next week at Roazhon Park.
