Imagine being a rising star in football, only to have your highly anticipated return to the pitch end in a crushing defeat. That’s exactly what happened to Jeremy Jacquet, whose comeback for Rennes after finalizing his move to Liverpool turned into a nightmare. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this just a bad day for Jacquet, or is it a sign of deeper issues plaguing Rennes? Let’s dive in.
Following his medical at Liverpool on Monday, Jacquet was thrust back into action for Rennes just a day later, starting in their Coupe de France last-16 clash against Marseille. However, the match at the Stade Velodrome couldn’t have started worse. Within two minutes, Amine Gouiri put Marseille ahead, setting the tone for a disastrous evening. Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang added to Rennes’ misery after the break, sealing a 3-0 defeat that knocked them out of the competition.
This loss is part of a troubling pattern for Rennes, who have conceded nine goals in their last three games across all competitions while failing to score a single one. And this is the part most people miss: Despite the defensive collapse, manager Habib Beye insisted he was ‘proud’ of his team’s efforts. Speaking to beIN Sports, Beye acknowledged the defensive errors but seemed to downplay their significance. ‘If we concede so many goals, it’s because we’re making mistakes,’ he said. ‘In matches like this, we can’t afford them. We’re punished immediately.’
But Beye’s post-match comments took an unexpected turn. He hinted at a controversial perspective, stating, ‘I know OM [Marseille] very well. I know someone who once said when a fire starts in Marseille, sometimes you have to let it burn. Crisis can be good for this club.’ Is Beye suggesting that Rennes’ current struggles could somehow benefit them in the long run? It’s a bold claim that’s sure to spark debate.
For Jacquet, the focus now shifts to finishing the season strongly with his boyhood club before joining Liverpool in the summer. The 20-year-old defender has signed a five-year deal with the Reds, who outbid Chelsea for his services. ‘I am honoured to sign for Liverpool, one of the greatest football institutions in the world,’ Jacquet said. ‘It was also very important for me to finish my time in red and black on a high, at my boyhood club, the club of my heart.’
Thought-provoking question: Is Beye’s ‘crisis can be good’ mindset a recipe for disaster, or could it be the catalyst Rennes needs to turn their season around? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Meanwhile, Liverpool fans can celebrate Jacquet’s arrival by grabbing the club’s 2025/26 home and away kits, the first in their new partnership with Adidas. Available at Fanatics.com and the LFC Online Store, these jerseys start at $100. This article contains affiliate links, and we may receive a commission on any sales generated.
