Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Samuel Noireau-Dauriat scored twice in nine second-half minutes as Caen came from behind to beat Ligue 1 neighbours Rennes 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at La Piverdière.
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Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Rennes, playing their first friendly of the summer under Franck Haise, carried the early threat. New signing Adrien Thomasson made his first appearance in red and black and helped the hosts control the opening half-hour. A rare Caen effort flew well over the bar before the cooling break, and shortly after Rennes broke through.
Esteban Lepaul put the Ligue 1 side ahead in the 40th minute, meeting a cross to beat Caen goalkeeper Yannis Clémentia with a precise finish — a goal that stood despite a hint of offside.
Caen had offered little going forward in the first period. Gaël Clichy changed all 11 outfield players at half-time, and the second half was a different story. With the temperature still above 35°C, the game was quiet until the second cooling break. Then, in the 72nd minute, Noireau-Dauriat latched on to a ball in behind from Diabé Kanouté, slipped between the centre-backs and finished calmly to level the score.
Nine minutes later, the same player struck again. A cross from Salim Diakité found Noireau-Dauriat, who had lost his marker, and he turned the ball home from close range — helped by a Rennes goalkeeping error — to make it 2–1.
Rennes pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages. They created three clear chances in the final ten minutes, the best of which came in the 90th minute, only for Caen substitute goalkeeper Ryan Tutu to produce a fine save to preserve the lead.
The turning point
Clichy's wholesale half-time changes transformed Caen. The first XI had been largely passive, but the second unit — led by the energetic Kanouté and the clinical Noireau-Dauriat — pressed higher and attacked with far more intent. The introduction of Tutu in goal also proved decisive: his 90th-minute stop secured the win.
Key performers
Samuel Noireau-Dauriat (Caen) — The 23-year-old striker, who scored six goals in 13 National 3 appearances last season and was never used by Clichy in the league, scored twice in nine minutes. His first was a composed finish through the middle; his second a poacher's effort from close range. He did not smile after either goal, a measure of his hunger to prove himself at this level.
Ryan Tutu (Caen) — The second-half goalkeeper made a crucial save in the 90th minute to deny Rennes an equaliser, preserving the victory.
Esteban Lepaul (Rennes) — Scored a well-taken opener in the 40th minute and was Rennes' most dangerous forward before being withdrawn at half-time.
Player of the match: Samuel Noireau-Dauriat.
By the numbers — interpreted
Caen's two shots on target both went in — a 100% conversion rate that flattered their overall output. The first half was one-sided: Rennes dominated possession and territory, while Caen managed only one off-target attempt before the break. The second half was more balanced, though Rennes still created the clearer chances after falling behind. The xG story (not published for this fixture) would likely show a slight edge to Rennes, reflecting their late pressure, but Caen's ruthlessness in the moments that mattered decided the match.
What it means
This was the first pre-season outing for both sides. Rennes continue their build-up against Guingamp (Ligue 2) in Dinard on Friday 17 July. Caen, preparing for life in Ligue 3 (National) after finishing 17th in Ligue 2 last season, face further friendlies as they build towards their league opener.
For Rennes, the result is a minor concern, not a crisis. Haise used the game to test fitness, and only two players — Thomasson and the newly signed Issa Soumaré — played the full 90. The manager acknowledged afterwards: "We've been piling on training sessions in the heat and you can see that for some players, pre-season will be about building up their fitness. But I'm never happy to lose matches, especially when we had three big chances at the end where we should have at least equalised."
For Caen, the win carries real psychological value. Noireau-Dauriat, who was not trusted in National action last term, has staked an early claim for a role in Clichy's plans.
Verdict
A tale of two halves. Rennes were sharper early but faded after the break, while Caen's second-string XI showed more drive and produced a clinical comeback. The result matters less than the fitness minutes, but Noireau-Dauriat's double will give Caen fans — and Clichy — food for thought ahead of the new season.
Match Events
Rennes and Caen have met 16 times — Rennes won 9, Caen won 4, with 3 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2010. Rennes leads the head-to-head with 9 victories from 16 meetings. A combined 40 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 2.50 per match (23 for the home side, 17 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 9 matches (56%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 7 games (44%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Rennes are currently unbeaten in the last 5 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 1–4 in 2015.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 10 Jul 2026