Rennes coach Guy Lacombe was in philosophical mood after his team's 18-match unbeaten run in Ligue 1 was ended by Lille.

The Brittany club slipped to a 1-0 defeat on Sunday night, their first reverse since mid-August, when they lost by the same scoreline to Grenoble.

Petter Hansson's own goal proved to be the difference between the two sides as Lille grabbed a third win on the bounce to join the chasing pack behind league leaders Lyon.

Lacombe admitted Lille had given his team a tough time at the Stade Metropole and acknowledged their amazing run had to come to an end at some point.

"We fell to a dynamic Lille team - there is no shame losing to them," he said.

"They took hold of this match with more enthusiasm and desire than us. They were hungry for the win and motivated by wanting to stop our series of 18 matches without defeat.

"It is up to us to rebound now and we have to ask ourselves some questions."

Rennes are now five points off Lyon and could be overtaken by Lille should the northerners win their game in hand.

Lille coach Rudi Garcia said: "It was one of our best matches of the season, especially given the opposition.

"Rennes weren't near the top of the table and on that unbeaten run by chance. That makes our performance even better.

"The guys wanted to go to the end this time, as a result of the first match between us (when Rennes scored twice in injury time to win 2-1)."

Lille may be without Mathieu Debuchy for some time after the full-back was on the receiving end of a hard tackle by Rennes winger Moussa Sow.

Sow received a yellow card but Garcia thought the tackle may have warranted a heavier sanction.

"Even from 45 metres away it seemed to be a dangerous tackle. He must have tests to see if there is a fracture," Garcia said.

"It was something you don't want to see in football. The well-being of the player was put in danger."