Early Rennes domination set things in motion at the Stade de l'Abbe-Deschamps, although it was Auxerre who threatened with consecutive opportunities. Remarkably, Gauthier Hein thwarted successive chances to score on his 100th appearance for the club, first rattling a volley off the post, before sending an effort a whisker over the bar.
Genesio’s men, possessing the worst away points tally in Ligue 1 among top-half teams, seemed on edge due to the lack of midfield creativity, which showed as they struggled to pierce through an impressive Auxerre backline. In turn, the hosts did all the talking up front, led by Hein, M’Baye Niang and Gaetan Perrin.
Having found their groove in recent weeks, Christophe Pelissier’s side went into the break the more satisfied of the two, but knowing they needed to find a clinical edge after the restart, with both sides finishing the half with no shots on target.
Rennes looked sharper on the ball after the restart and were starting to threaten. Baptiste Santamaria forced AJA keeper Ionuț Radu into a first save of the evening, before Auxerre gradually found their feet with a chance of their own via Perrin. The clash entered the final 20 minutes on a knife’s edge, leaving both managers to ponder tactical changes in a bid to draw first blood.
However, neither team managed to outfox the other as fullt-time approached, with both settling for a first head-to-head draw since the 2011/12 season. Rennes’ toothless display does little to help their challenge for a UEFA Champions League spot, as they remain winless in their last four away games against promoted sides under Genesio. Auxerre on the other hand, remarkably extend their unbeaten Ligue 1 streak to six games with the draw.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Akim Zedadka (Auxerre)