Europa League. Finally, the Red Star was nothing more than an appetiser. As their main course, Stade Rennes will face Atletico Madrid, Udinese Calcio and FC Sion to try and qualify for Europa League’s round of 32.
Entering the draw for Europa League’s group phase in the third hat, Stade Rennes could expect a few high profile opponents. Finally, no Tottenham, Schalke or Dynamo Kiev, but a very tricky draw for a team as young as Rennes on the European scene.
The big favourite of this group I will certainly be the Atletico Madrid. The Spanish team, qualified after finishing seventh in the last Spanish championship, has easily beaten the Portuguese from Guimarães in the play-off round (2-0, 4-0) and is regularly reaching the late stages of the European competitions. When they don’t play the Champions League, the Colchoneros are expected to shine in the Europa League, which they won in 2010.
Although the club has experienced difficulties last season, lost their Argentinian striker Sergio Agüero this summer and are getting ready to let their Uruguayan star Diego Forlan go, the Atletico have got many more arguments to show. After the hot atmosphere of Belgrade, the Rennes squad will be experiencing the often boiling atmosphere of the Vicente-Calderón.
The other big name in this group is naturally Udinese. Fourth in the last season of Serie A, the Italian club was close to upset Arsenal during the play-offs for the Champions League this week, eventually losing to the English side (0-1, 1-2). Led by former Monaco coach Francesco Guidolin, the club from Udine can rely on players such as the redoubtable striker Antonio Di Natale or the Ghanaian international Kwadwo Asamoah.
The Italian club is indeed specialised in revealing Ghanaian talents, since it was the first European club of Asamoah Gyan, before he arrived in Brittany. Led by Chilean superstar Alexis Sanchez – recruited by Barcelona in a big money transfer this summer – Udinese will be keen to confirm that season, and will be a very tough opposition.
Finally, FC Sion complete group I. The winners from the last Swiss cup managed the exploit to eliminate Celtic Glasgow in the play-offs (0-0, 3-1), but they are the target of a disciplinary procedure from the UEFA. Since Celtic have lodged a complaint, Rennes could eventually face the Scottish club in the group phase. The European Federation will give their decision on the matter in the days to come.
Should FC Sion remain in the competition, the Stade Rennais will face their former defender Adailton, who plays in Switzerland since a year and a half. The Brasilian is part of a squad managed by Laurent Roussey, in which Pascal Feindouno (who scored a double against Celtic) or former Barcelona man Gabri also play.
Whatever happens, this draw is reserving very difficult encounters for the Rennais players. They certainly will have to work hard in order to beat at least two of these clubs and qualify for the competition’s round of 32. Frédéric Antonetti, who hoped his players would gather experience in Europe will probably be satisfied. If the “Rouge et Noir” play the competition totally, as they promised, some good nights of football could be expected by the spectators at the Route de Lorient.
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