The wanted midfielder yet again proves his mettle after scoring a dramatic late winner for the hosts as the home team ended the winning streak of Bastia FC
Rennes, who did not enjoy a great start to the season, having already been beaten in the two matches played in the current campaign, provided the breakthrough as Romain Alessandrini’s 21st minute goal fired the opener. It was not late however,
as Francois Marque leveled for the visitors.
The hosts had the lead again five minutes before half time when Jonathan Pitroipa, earned calm and composed finish for the home side. But, Bastia too were eager to make their presence felt on the pitch as Sylvain Marchal’s 74th minute equaliser
restored their hopes of an unbeaten run.
However, it was M’Villa, who stole the night as the shot from long range just before the approach of injury time, an absolute cracker, earned the winner for the last season’s 6th placed side. It was after this goal, that Bastia felt drowned and
could not make their way back.
Rennes were unstoppable then, as only five minutes later, Mevlut Erding found the back of the net to make it 4-2, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Bastia however, had shown tracks of their blistering form as the visitors created a good chance in the 19th minute only for goalkeeper Benoit Costil to grab the second attempt from Anthony Modeste in his safe hands.
Moments later, Alessandrini fired the home side ahead in a fine break. The sweet counter-attack saw the 23-year-old beating one defender before lashing the ball home, giving his side the much needed boost.
It did not take long however for the newly promoted side to show their worth, as Marque bagged the equaliser for the visitors from a corner. But, it was Alessandrini once again with a vital break, as he snatched the ball from visitors to hand over an accurate
pass to Pitroipa, before the winger could find the back of net.
The miseries for Les Blues seemed to multiply when Ilan was shown a second yellow, ruling him out of the remaining match. The 31-year-old was booked for showing dissent after having previously received a yellow for committing a foul on Jonathan Pitroipa.
However, unexpected as it may sound, the 74th minute free kick from Khazri Wahbi was spectacularly placed as Marchal was on target to earn the visitors an equaliser.
The hero of the night however, was the in-demand M’Villa. A stunning goal from 35 yards by the 22-year-old, just seven minutes from full time was worthy enough to drown the resilient 10-man Bastia side.
The celebration of the players and the jubilant crowd said it all as all and sundry had ultimately figured out a comprehensive win for the home team.
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