International Break. It is two weeks until Stade Rennes plays competitive football again. During these two weeks, many Rennes players will join their selection throughout Europe and Africa, in order to play friendly games as well as qualifiers.
This week, once again, many players will desert la Piverdière and join their respective national team. In some cases, these absences should not be as much a handicap as usual in the run-up to the game against Auxerre, with some of the players only playing one international game next week-end. Others, however, will be missing until March 30th.
For most, these will be friendly games only, but five players will be playing in qualifiers for the 2012 Euro or the 2012 African Cup of Nations.
Some players, injured or not called, will remain in Brittany however. This is the case of Yacine Brahimi, who will miss a new cap with France U21; same situation for Razak Boukari, who won’t join Togo, and John Boye, who the Ghanaian national coach has decided not to call this time.
The others are preparing to travel a bit everywhere in Europe and Africa.
As soon as this Tuesday, two young Rennais will play the first of two friendly games. These are Dimitri Foulquier and Axel N’Gando, with the French U18 national team. Both players, respectively a right back and an attacking midfielder, have taken part to training sessions with the professionals recently, and are two very good prospects at the club.
Under the management of their national coach, Pierre Mankowski, the French U18 will therefore play two friendly against Germany, in Bavaria. The first leg was played this Tuesday, the second will be played next Thursday.
On Wednesday, goalkeeper Abdoulaye Diallo will be next to feature, with Philippe Bergeroo’s France U19. On schedule for him, a friendly game against Switzerland in Molsheim (Alsace). Once again in competition with Le Havre’s Zacharie Boucher, Diallo will prepare the Tour Élite, the latest phase of qualifications for the Category’s Euro, next May.
In case of qualification, Diallo could play his second U19 Euro in two years, after the victory earned last summer with the 1991 generation.
The next day, France U21 will play a prestigious friendly. The Bleuets will play two friendly games, the first against the always redoubtable team of Spain, at the Stade Auguste-Delaune of Reims.
The Bleuets, who will continue preparing the Euro 2013’s qualifiers, will have their work cut-out against Spain, and another difficult game will await them the following Tuesday in the Czech Republic.
These two games will certainly be a positive experience for Vincent Pajot and Abdoul Camara, even though the latter should play very little, struggling with a back injury.
Amongst the youngsters, Yassine Jebbour will also be put to contribution. The Rennes right back has been called once again with Morocco’s Olympic team. After a friendly in February, the young Moroccans will start their qualifying campaign for the 2012 Olympics, with a first two-legged confrontation against Mozambique.
For this game, played in Marrakech, Morocco will have to try and ensure a comfortable advantage before a second leg to be played on the week-end of 8 to 10 April. A victory is mandatory against Mozambique, in order to avoid a premature elimination of the competition.
As soon as Friday night, the « senior » international games will start with France’s game in Luxembourg. A game for which Yann M’Vila has been called-up once again, and a new step for Les Bleus in the race to Euro 2012. Against one of the weakest teams in their group, victory is naturally requested from France.
On the bench during the first leg, the young midfielder could return to a starting position, especially in the absence of Abou Diaby. But Laurent Blanc could also decide to field a team more attacking than usual, with Alou Diarra as a sole defensive midfielder. The next Tuesday, Les Bleurs will return to the Stade de France for a friendly against Croatia.
Also taking part in the qualifiers for the Euro, Alexander Tettey’s Norway will face their Danish neighbour on Saturday night for a capital match. In the lead in their group (3 games, 3 victories), the Norwegians could extend their lead on Denmark, who imperatively need a good result after their defeat in Portugal.
After this game, Tettey will soon return to Brittany, with no match scheduled the following week for the Norwegian selection.
In Africa, Georges Mandjeck (Cameroon) and Kader Mangane (Senegal) also prepare for a crucial game. The two Rennais will be facing each other directly, as part of the 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifiers. At stake, the first position in the group, the only one directly qualifying for the finals.
In difficulty after a home draw to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon desperately need a good result in Senegal, or they would take the risk to run for a best second position only.
After this game, although Mangane will head back to Brittany, Mandjeck will remain with his national team. A second game, friendly this time, is scheduled for the Indomitable Lions against Gabon. That game will be played on Tuesday in the Parisian region.
Finally, Victor Hugo Montaño will have the pleasure to honour his first selection with Colombia. On schedule, two friendlies against two other South-American teams, to be played in Europe.
For Colombia, the purpose will be to prepare the next Copa América, to be played in Argentina in July. A first game against Ecuador is scheduled at Atletico Madrid’s Vicente-Calderon stadium, the second will be played Tuesday against Chile, at Den Haag (Netherlands).
- Tuesday, March 22nd :
Germany U18 - France U18 (friendly), 18:00 in Heimstetten
- Wednesday, March 23rd :
France U19 - Switzerland U19 (friendly), 18:00 in Molsheim
- Thursday , March 24th :
Germany U18 - France U18 (friendly), 11:00 in Prien am Chiemsee
France U21 - Espagne U21 (friendly), 20:45 in Reims
- Friday, March 25th :
Luxembourg - France (Euro 2012 qualifier), 21:00 in Luxembourg
- Saturday, March 26th :
Maroc U21 – Mozambique U21 (2012 Olympics qualifier), in Marrakech
Senegal - Cameroon (CAN 2012 qualifier), 18:00 in Dakar
Colombia – Ecuador (friendly), 18:00 in Madrid (Spain)
Norway - Denmark (Euro 2012 qualifier), 20:00 in Oslo
- Tuesday, March 29th :
Czech Republic U21 - France U21 (friendly), 16:45 in Olomouc
Cameroon - Gabon (friendly), 19:00 in La Courneuve (France)
Colombia - Chile (friendly), 20:30 in Den Haag (Netherlands)
France - Croatia (amical), 21:00 in Saint-Denis
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- Photo : srfc.frenchwill.fr
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