Apologies for the tardiness, but join for live commentary and coverage of the Coupe de la Ligue final between Saint Etienne and Rennes:
21.53: FT: SAINT ETIENNE 1-0 RENNES. SAINT ETIENNE WIN THE COUPE DE LA LIGUE 2013. Real quality shone through tonight and Saint Etienne deservedly win their 1st title in 32 years. Brandao looking especially delighted as his goal has realised the dream.
21.51: Feret has been brought off for Montano?
21.50: The referee has generally been excellent tonight. Hats off to Buquet.
21.48: PENALTY SHOUT? Ruffier clashes into Kana Biyik and the referee should probably have been given a penalty.
21.45: UNBELIEVABLE SAVE: Ruffier has somehow managed to get a touch to Diallo’s volley and a scramble ensues.
21.43: Rennes going all out now. 5 minutes for Saint Etienne to hold on and win their 1st title in 32 years.
21.38: Nervous moments for Saint Etienne as Mavinga’s ball in seems harmless but ASSE fail to clear it and a scramble ensues.
21.36: Mevlut Erding injury is an injury to his adductor muscle.
21.34: Honestly, there is something in my gut here which is hinting a Rennes goal. Yes, Saint Etienne have been solid and a side of greater quality, but Diarra, Feret and Pitroipa are all playing out of their skin this half.
21.32: SUBSTITUTION: Yohan Mollo off. Romain Hamouma on. Seems like a pre-prepared change. Life for like. Nothing all that tactical about it.
21.31: A Rennes corner is well saved by Ruffier. Boye with the header.
21.29: This Apam is a little bit rubbish really. Unfortunate because Rennes need a competent attack in these closing 15 minutes.
21.26: Pajot is shown the yellow card after a nasty foul on Fabien Lemoine.
21.24: Rennes now probing as time is against them, Diarra and Feret with real fire in their eyes now.
21.22: Aubameyang goes close but the angle is too tight.
21.19: Possession has now swung in favour of Rennes (52%). They can’t do anything with it however. Saint Etienne just in a league of their own. Still think Pitroipa could be the man to get something if anything for Rennes however.
21.15: SUBSTITUTION: Danze goes down injured and is replaced by Apam. Feret takes the captain’s armband.
21.14: Doesn’t seem like any urgency from Rennes at the moment. Pitroipa extremely lively but this is the final and the rest of them look disinterested.
21.12: ONLY JUST OFF THE LINE: A corner comes in and Clerc’s attempted header is cleared off the line.
21.10: Poor cross by Brandao ends up being deflected for a corner after a great pass for Mollo.
21:07: Now Feret has a lovely delivery just headed out for a corner by Aubameyang.
21:05: A serious early chance for Cohade after great play from Mollo. ASSE out of blocks very quickly.
21:03: Second half underway.
HT: Saint Etienne 1-0 Rennes. I think it would certainly be dangerous to write Rennes off at this moment in time. Yes, Saint Etienne started the better side but if Rennes can find that bit of quality up front the game is there for the taking.
20:44: We are nearing half time and Diallo makes a lovely movement with a roulette and then fires a shot wide. Rennes still looking.
20:41: Pitroipa tries a spectacular overhead kick but it goes wide of Ruffier’s right post. You do feel that they miss Alessandrini.
20:38: Rennes continuing to press and push forward, Pitroipa looking the brightest for Antonetti’s men so far. Still no real conviction going forward.
20:33: WATCH: Brandao’s goal:
[youtube_sc url=http://youtu.be/ZbzQtUm4Ey0]
20:32: Rennes currently dominating possession, but are unable to do anything with it.
20:30: Can only apologise for the delay, but Saint Etienne are currently leading Rennes through a Brandao goal. Very open and entertaining contest so far though.
