Wolves player ratings vs Stade Rennais as Ait-Nouri makes case in win

Wolves signed off their pre-season campaign with an entertaining 3-1 win at home to Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais to give Julen Lopetegui plenty to consider ahead of the Premier League opener at Manchester United on August 14.

Rayan Ait-Nouri furthered his case for the left back spot with a stunning volleyed opener on 11 minutes but there were bright performances all over the pitch. They included Matheus Nunes who set up goals for Joao Gomes, on 48 minutes, and Hee Chan Hwang, on 67, to take the game out of Stade Rennais’ reach after the visitors had levelled through Benjamin Bourigeaud’s 36th-minute penalty.

Lopetegui had made eight changes to the team that started Wednesday’s goalless draw at home to Luton Town as Max Kilman, Nunes and Ait-Nouri were the only players to stay in.

That meant a 4-2-3-1 with a back four, from right to left of Nelson Semedo, Craig Dawson, Kilman and Ait-Nouri. Mario Lemina and Joe Hodge were the holding midfielders behind Pedro Neto, Pablo Sarabia and Nunes with Matheus Cunha the lone striker.

Kilman and Nunes tested keeper Steve Mandanda before Wolves took the lead after winning a corner on the right. Sarabia’s ball in was deep to the back post, dropped just over the defender and was met by Ait-Nouri with a superb left-footed volley back across the keeper and into the far corner.

Despite making the better start Wolves were threatened when Jose Sa had to save low to his right and, moments late, race from his area to head clear.

The visitors came closer when Benjamin Bouregeaud whipped in a low cross from the right, just beating Ait-Nouri’s efforts to block. Arnaud Kalimuendo connected just before Sa but his right footed flick hit the bar.

But Rennais levelled on 36 minutes as Kalimuendo went outside of Dawson and went down over a trailing leg. Bourigeaud took the penalty to Sa’s right, accurate enough to beat the keeper’s dive.

Wolves regained the lead three minutes into the second half when substitute Joao Gomes slid the ball to Nunes on the right before charging into the area, receiving the return pass and calmly slotting the ball past the keeper.

Cunha had an effort blocked on the line as Wolves threatened a third. That goal arrived on 67 minutes as Kalajdzic held the ball up before finding Nunes who spotted Hwang in space on the left of the area. Hwang did the rest with a precise finish drilled low across the keeper from 15 yards.

Wolves went close to a fourth when Dawson met a corner and substitute Sasa Kalajdzic threw himself at the loose ball only to see his header saved.

Wolves player ratings from their pre-season friendly against Stade Rennais

Sa: Smart save low to his right early and also alert to get out of his area and clear the dander when needed. Favourite to start against Manchester United. 6

Semedo: Could be close between him and Doherty for the starting spot. Defended solidly and picked his moments to get forward effectively. 6

Dawson: Looked a bit hard done to for the penalty when Kalimuendo went outside him and then went down for a trip. Will hope for more luck when the real action begins. 6

Kilman: Has started all three friendlies over the last week and is a certainty for the Manchester United game. Solid on the left of the centre halves having played on the right of a two alongside Toti in midweek. 7

Ait-Nouri: Is his selection for the second game running a hint that he’ll start next week? He did his cause no home with a stunning volley for the opener. 8

Hodge: Recalled to the holding midfield role, the youngster did a steady job alongside Mario Lemina. 6

Lemina: Back in the side after missing the Luton game through illness. Dynamic presence who will surely start against Manchester United. Off balance with a first half effort well wide. 7

Neto: Busy on the right wing on his recall to the side. Combined pretty well with Semedo down that flank. 6

Sarabia: Gets an assist with his corner for Ait-Nouri’s opener. Played centrally just behind Cunha, sometimes pushing up to make the 4-2-3-1 a 4-4-2. Looked a threat. 6

Nunes: Switched to the left after playing on the right in midweek. Plenty pf energy, pace and invention. Only he and Kilman have started all three games over the last week. Set up Gomes’ goal and also Hwang for the third. 8

Cunha: Favourite for the central striking role against Manchester United and did his cause no harm here. He set the tone with a run half the length of the pitch inside the first couple of minutes. 6.5

Subs:

Gomes (Hodge, 45) Made an impact with a goal inside three minutes. Found Nunes on the right then finished the move to put his side 2-1 up. 7.5

Hwang (Neto, 45) Impressed in midweek and sound again on the left wing. Great finish for the third. 7

Bueno (Ait-Nori, 45): Straight swap for Ait-Nouri at left back. 6

Silva (Sarabia): Huge fans’ favourite. His introduction cranked up the volume in an already lively atmosphere. Bright performance. Went close late on 6.5

Doherty (Semedo, 61), Toti (Kilman, 61), Kalajdzic (Cunha, 61), Traore (Lemina 73), Jonny (Dawson, 73), King (Sa, 77)