LFP: Diarra, Menegazzo score as Bordeaux beat Rennes

Bordeaux defender Henrique, right, vies with Rennes forward Jimmy Briand during their match in Rennes on Saturday. PHOTO: AFP

Alou Diarra and Fernando Menegazzo scored in each half on Saturday to lead Bordeaux over Rennes 2-0 in the French league.

Brazilian midfielder Wendel created both goals from corners.

Diarra with a volley in the 18th minute and Menegazzo sealed the win with a looping header in the 83rd.

The win moved Bordeaux closer to securing an automatic place in next season’s Champions League, while the defeat snapped a six-match unbeaten run for Rennes, which missed a chance to level when Mickael Pagis shot wide in the 63rd.

Bordeaux 61 points after 32 rounds, and Rennes has 44 points.

French leader Lyon, which was to play at Marseille yesterday, has 67 points.

At Saint-Etienne, former Liverpool striker Anthony Le Tallec put Le Mans ahead in the 32nd, before midfielder Geoffrey Dernis scored twice in the 42nd and 63rd and also set up Bafetimbi Gomis for his 11th goal of the season in the 56th.

Guinea Pascal Feindouno completed Saint-Etienne’s win with his seventh goal of the season in the 86th.

Damien Perquis got Sochaux’s winner in the 44th, and Tunisia forward Issam Jemaa grabbed Caen’s only goal in the 20th.

At struggling Strasbourg, Monaco’s Nene collected a headed pass from Frederic Piquionne and lobbed goalkeeper Stephane Cassard in the 67th. Fabio Santos added another in the 83rd to give Monaco a much-needed win and put Strasbourg into 19th spot.

At Lens, veteran winger Olivier Monterrubio scored with a penalty in the 32nd, but Metz dealt Lens a blow when Miralem Pjanic equalized in the last minute.