Lorient defeated Rennes 2-1 on Friday in the French league, demonstrating that it can win without its leading scorer Terem Moffi. With 12 goals, Moffi is one goal behind Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain for second place on the scoring list. Moffi, a striker from Nigeria, has missed the last two matches after being linked with a transfer to Marseille or Nice before the transfer market closes in January. On Friday, Lorient's defender Montassar Talbi scored with a header in the 13th minute, and midfielder Theo Le Bris added a goal in the 31st to make it 2-0.

For Rennes, who had previously defeated league leaders PSG, Flavien Tait scored a goal. Due to Rennes losing ground in the fight for third and a position in the Champions League qualification stages, the victory lifted Lorient up to sixth place, two points behind Rennes in fifth.