Trailing early at the Allianz Stadium, Stade Rennais came from behind to beat Juventus thanks to a penalty from striker Boulaye Dia in the 43rd minute, won by defender Mahamadou Nagida, to lead 2-1 at half-time.
Stade Rennais turned the match around on the pitch at the Allianz Stadium. This Thursday, 22 October 2026, the Bretons led 2-1 at half-time against Juventus in matchday 3 of the Europa League league phase, according to Stade Rennais F.C. and Top Mercato.
Senegalese striker Boulaye Dia converted the penalty that made it 2-1 in the 43rd minute, sending Guglielmo Vicario the wrong way. Defender and left wing-back Mahamadou Nagida, a Cameroon international, won the foul, conceded when a long-range shot was blocked by a Juventus defender’s hand in the 42nd minute.
Rennes come back from far behind
Yet everything had started badly for coach Franck Haise’s men. Zeki Çelik opened the scoring for Juventus very early in the match. Mousa Al-Tamari equalised before Nagida won the decisive penalty in the 42nd minute.
In Juventus’s midfield, Senegal international Pape Matar Sarr, a central midfielder, started alongside Teun Koopmeiners, according to Stars Actu.
Dia takes responsibility
Speaking to Canal+ Sport at half-time, the Rennes striker discussed his penalty: “We conceded very early in the match but we didn’t panic. We managed to respond with intensity and technical control. There’s no designated penalty taker, I felt good about it and I took the ball. It ended up in the back of the net, so much the better.”
Rennes were without their centre-forward Esteban Lepaul, injured in the ankle, according to Eurosport and Stars Actu. Dia took on the role of penalty finisher.
Rennes take on the leaders
Juventus went into the match as Europa League leaders with 6 points, thanks to their wins against NEC Nijmegen (5-0) and Celta Vigo (2-1), according to Flashscore. Rennes had 4 points after a 0-0 draw with Sturm Graz and a 2-1 win against OFI Crete.
The Bretons were also coming off a 4-3 defeat in Ligue 1 away to Paris FC the previous weekend, according to Flashscore and Top Mercato. Franck Haise’s side were thus facing coach Luciano Spalletti’s team.
The domestic leagues resume on the weekend of 24-25 October 2026, before matchday 4 of the Europa League.