How to score goals?

Since March 5th, Stade Rennes haven’t won a single game. On that night, in Montpellier, Razak Boukari scored. Since then, no Rennes forward has found the way to the nets. The team, then second, has only scored two goals in seven games and dropped to fifth in the table. In the league, Stade Rennais is the fourteenth attack with only 33 goals scored in as many matchdays. Before travelling to Valenciennes, thirteenth in the league and fighting for their survival.

A loss of confidence

To Frédéric Antonetti, this attacking sterility is mainly explained by the numerous injuries: “We have seven major absences. We don’t have the physical or mental resources and reach our limits at the moment”. Second reason for the attacking impotence: “An issue of confidence”. Translated as follows on the pitch, according to the manager :“I don’t give the ball as fast, I ask for it a bit less, I take a bit fewer responsibilities."

The question to get on target again in attack has become crucial again to finish « at least fifth », as Frédéric Antonetti asks. “Yesterday (Ed.: Wednesday), we organised a specific training session for the forwards, in order to retrieve our attacking organisation, Razak Boukari explained. We mainly worked on finishing in order to repeat the moves and gain a bit of confidence.”

"Everyone needs to do a bit more"

In this context, his manager has taken a surprising option by making Romain Danzé play one level higher, with John Boye replacing him at right back. An option he might well repeat on Sunday in Valenciennes. “The forwards had their chance and I thought their influence on the game was insufficient, so I might as well reinforce defensively. This is a punctual choice. Some are more able to enter during a game than start.” One could think of Jérôme Leroy, struggling a bit physically, or of the Ligue 1 beginners that are John Verhoek and Abdoul Camara.

In order to take the edge over the defences of Valenciennes on Sunday, Caen on Wednesday and Saint Etienne on Sunday 16th, everyone will have his role to play. Which explains the choice to field Romain Danzé on a higher than usual position. “We should keep our solidity and in particular get a bit more free in attack, Frédéric Antonetti estimates. Everyone needs to do a bit more in order to make the attacking organisation better.” The three midfielder must “one after the other” bring their support to the forwards. And the manager give an example of situation: “When a cross is delivered, I think there isn’t enough players in front of the goal”.

Although a few teams, including Lorient, are coming back in Rennes’ trail, Razak Boukari hasn’t lost all hope and still believes in a Champions League qualification. “We haven’t lost everything. If Marseille win in Lyon on Sunday, we could come back nearly on equal terms with Lyon, who have 56 points”

Nicolas Auffray - Le Mensuel de Rennes

- Photo : www.rennes.lemensuel.com