Rennes routs Montpellier in French league

PARIS (AP) — The French league season marking Montpellier's 50th anniversary is just four matches old, but there are alarming signs it could be a nightmare for the southern city's team.

Montpellier's ambitions have been hampered by the significant drop in television rights revenues, preventing the club from securing the reinforcements it planned.

The result? Montpellier was last in the table following Angers' 1-1 draw at Strasbourg and is still winless after Sunday's 3-0 loss at Rennes that marked its third defeat in four matches so far.

In addition to its financial issues, Montpellier traveled to Rennes with several injured players — its three left-backs are currently sidelined — and was second best throughout the afternoon.

Ludovic Blas put the hosts in front in the 24th minute and goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo and Albert Gronbaek completed the win. It was Rennes' second victory this season.

Montpellier became the first team since Strasbourg during the 2000-2001 season to concede 13 goals after four league matches.

Rennes dominated Sunday's game.

“It looked like we played with a lot more freedom today, the atmosphere was really good today. My connection with Ludovic Blas is really good, it’s really nice and we have to keep this going in future games,” Gronbaek said.

Montpellier won the French league title once, in 2012, when it upset Paris Saint-Germain.

Montpellier’s title-winning squad featured nine homegrown players, in contrast to PSG’s relentless pursuit of stars at the expense of its own youth academy. The club also won the second division title in 1987 and the French Cup in 1990 with a team featuring the likes of Eric Cantona, Laurent Blanc and Julio Cesar.

PSG stayed in command at the top of the standings with a fourth win in as many games on Saturday. Ousmane Dembélé scored twice in the 3-1 win against Brest. PSG has a two-point lead at the top over Marseille and Monaco.

Also Sunday, Lens and Lyon drew 0-0 in a game lacking chances. Still unbeaten, Lens climbed to fourth in the standings, with eight points. Lyon was in 13th place, with four points.

Keito Nakamura scored the winner in added time as Reims prevailed 2-1 at Nantes. and Toulouse beat Le Havre 2-0 for its first win this season.

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