Rennes leave it late to edge Tavriya

Rod Fanni's added-time header gave Stade Rennais FC a slender lead to protect in next week's second leg in Ukraine.

Reward
The defender got on the end of a corner by substitute Sylvain Marveaux to give the Ligue 1 representatives something to show for their endeavours. Rennes enjoyed the upper hand throughout against SC Tavriya Simferopol
at a sun-soaked Route de Lorient but ultimately looked like ending the night frustrated until Fanni's late intervention.

Midweek match
Minus Sylvain Wiltord and Jimmy Briand, Rennes gave their supporters little to cheer though Mickaël Pagis' header from Romain Danze's cross went close just before half-time. Tavriya, who opened their league campaign with a goalless draw against FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk on Wednesday, were intent on keeping things tight and their cause was being aided by the hold-up play of strike pairing Lucky Ihador and Volodymyr Homenyuk, though chances remained scarce for the visitors.  
 
Inspired move
However, Tavriya received a scare just past the hour when Jerome Leroy – who renewed his contract on Thursday – volleyed just wide, followed minutes later by Moussa Sow firing over after he was played in by Pagis. After Andrii Dykan had palmed away a Bruno Cheyrou effort, Rennes coach Guy Lacombe made a tactical change in an attempt to force a result, Fanni replacing Sow up front alongside substitute Jirès Ekoko for the final eleven minutes. The switch paid dividends as Rennes began to force the visitors back, and after Fanni had seen an effort blocked on the line, he powered in Marveaux's right-wing corner from five metres.