EUROPA LEAGUE · RENNES
RENNES AND OLYMPIAKOS SETTLE FOR A TEATIME STALEMATE
Rennes 0, Olympiakos Piraeus 0. Moved to 4.30pm on a Wednesday, a goalless draw keeps both sides unbeaten
This Europa League tie was meant for Thursday. The local prefecture moved it forward 24 hours because of planned strikes, and it kicked off at 4.30pm on a Wednesday. It played like it.
Olympiakos, on a run of nine straight wins, started the brighter. Armando Gonzalez headed an early chance off target, and Gustavo Puerta was denied by Brice Samba with help from the post.
Rennes, still smarting from conceding five at Nice on Friday, leaned on Mousa Al-Tamari's pace. Charlie Cresswell headed at Stefan Ortega, Sebastian Szymanski hit the side-netting from a free-kick, and Ortega and his post kept out Al-Tamari.
The second half was colder still for a crowd of more than 27,000. Franck Haise was booked for his protests at the referee. In the first minute of stoppage time, Valentin Rongier forced a fine save from Ortega, and that was that.
Rennes have six points from four games and are unbeaten. Olympiakos, on 10, remain unbeaten too.
Where it leaves them: Rennes 12th on 6 points; Olympiakos Piraeus 1st on 10 points.