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PARIS (Reuters) - Olympique Marseille warmed up for next week's Champions League second leg at Manchester United with a confidence-boosting 2-0 win at French title rivals Stade Rennes on Friday.
Loic Remy's 24th-minute header and a Lucho Gonzalez strike 10 minutes from time sent Marseille a point behind second-placed Rennes and leaders Lille, who top the table on goal difference and host Valenciennes on Sunday.
Marseille, beaten 2-1 at home by Lille last weekend, endured a tough opening spell with the hosts continually pressing but they became the better side and deservedly sealed victory.
Rennes failed to create a really good chance despite decent possession in Brittany.
Marseille can now prepare for Tuesday's last 16 match at Old Trafford following the 0-0 draw in the first leg.
No new injuries were reported with fit-again Andre-Pierre Gignac starting as the main striker but Mathieu Valbuena was only a substitute.
Forward Brandao was missing and looks set to skip the United game after returning to Brazil for a break after being accused of an alleged rape.
Rennes, surprise packages this term along with Lille, had won four in a row in the league and are still firmly in the mix with 11 games remaining.
(Writing by Mark Meadows; Editing by Martyn Herman, To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Loic Remy's 24th-minute header and a Lucho Gonzalez strike 10 minutes from time sent Marseille a point behind second-placed Rennes and leaders Lille, who top the table on goal difference and host Valenciennes on Sunday.
Marseille, beaten 2-1 at home by Lille last weekend, endured a tough opening spell with the hosts continually pressing but they became the better side and deservedly sealed victory.
Rennes failed to create a really good chance despite decent possession in Brittany.
Marseille can now prepare for Tuesday's last 16 match at Old Trafford following the 0-0 draw in the first leg.
No new injuries were reported with fit-again Andre-Pierre Gignac starting as the main striker but Mathieu Valbuena was only a substitute.
Forward Brandao was missing and looks set to skip the United game after returning to Brazil for a break after being accused of an alleged rape.
Rennes, surprise packages this term along with Lille, had won four in a row in the league and are still firmly in the mix with 11 games remaining.
(Writing by Mark Meadows; Editing by Martyn Herman, To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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