Nolan Roux scored a second-half brace as bottom club FC Metz came from behind to stun Stade Rennais FC and win 2-1 at Roazhon Park on Saturday.
Stade Rennais FC 1 – 2 FC Metz 
THE MATCH
This looked like a home banker, with Rennes bidding to extend an eight-game unbeaten run and stay on course for Europa League qualification against opponents who prop up the division.
The home side led at half-time, with Benjamin Bourigeaud – who also netted in last week’s draw at OGC Nice – putting them ahead in the 27th minute, heading home from close range from a Yoann Gourcuff assist.
However, Metz came storming back in the second half thanks to the predatory instincts of Roux. He equalised seven minutes after the restart, stealing in front of Bourigeaud at the back post to head in a Matthieu Dossevi cross from the right flank, and taking a boot in the head from the Rennes player in the process.
Dossevi then set up Roux again for another back-post finish to win the game for the visitors in the 58th minute, boosting their hopes of avoiding the drop, which now appear a little brighter.
This was a first win in 10 for Frédéric Hantz’s side, who are now just four points adrift of the relegation play-off place with five games still to play. There is still a glimmer of hope.
Meanwhile, Sabri Lamouchi’s Rennes missed a chance to consolidate their hold on fifth place after seeing their unbeaten streak come to an end.
THE PLAYER: Nolan Roux
Regardless of whether Metz beat the drop, this has been an outstanding season on a personal level for Roux. The 30-year-old has now scored 14 Ligue 1 Conforama goals, making this easily his most prolific campaign in the elite. Indeed, he has now scored one more goal than he managed in his two seasons combined at AS Saint-Etienne.
THE STAT: 10
Matthieu Dossevi has provided 10 assists this season after laying on both goals for the visitors here. He has set up five of his team’s last seven goals in the top flight.
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