The team is building momentum

The progression plan of Rennes for the 2011-2012 is taking shape, with serious matters soon to come on schedule. Confirmation is naturally expected during the next two friendlies, but the Stade Rennais is actively preparing for the Europa League qualifying round and for the beginning of the league, scheduled for August 7th in Dijon.
Without Stéphane Dalmat (back), Jirès Kembo (recovery) and Yann M’Vila (recovery), Frédéric Antonetti had also left Fabien Boyer, Cheick Fantamady Diarra and Quentin Rouger out of this game (Johann Carrasso and Cheick N’Diaye were in Carnac). To replace them, Yacine Brahimi, Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik, Georges Mandjeck and John Verhoek –unused in Vannes- returned to the professional squad. On a heavy pitch and under hostile weather conditions, Stade Rennais ended their training camp in Carnac with a second consecutive draw. The oppositions against Sochaux (Wednesday at the Route de Lorient) and Lorient (Saturday in Ploërmel) should be giving more information regarding the team’s first eleven and should also allow drawing some conclusions.

The game and the players

Towards a change of tactics?

This game saw a few innovations compared to the friendly in Vannes, especially in the second half and at midfield, since Frédéric Antonetti chose a 4-2-3-1 with two defensive midfielders before the defence (Tongo Doumbia and Alexander Tettey), and a playmaker, Julien Féret, who showed good inspiration in that configuration.
In the first half, a traditional 4-3-3 was fielded with only one midfielder before the defence (Georges Mandjeck) and two centre midfielders (Fabien Lemoine and Vincent Pajot). No real modifications in the attacking sector.

Boukari in good form, Pajot confirms

As in Vannes, Boukari did quite well in a central position he hasn’t really been used to occupy since he arrived in Rennes. Showing rather fit, the Rennes forward applied heavy pressure at the front of the Rennes attack. His power and his pace have often put the right side of the Angers defence (Matar Fall and Jérémy Hénin) in trouble. He was at the base of Rennes’ two opportunities in the first half (12’, 22’). In both occasions, Boukari got rid of his opponents with disconcerting easiness.
Alongside him, Yacine Brahimi and John Verhoek had a discrete game for their first friendly of the season. In a position which doesn’t really suit him, the Dutchman created two goal scoring opportunities. On the first, he missed an open goal after a scuffed shot by Lemoine, not applying his inside foot shot enough (22’). Two minutes later, Verhoek scored his first goal with the Rennes shirt on, when he converted a perfect pass by Foulquier (24’).

At midfield, Georges Mandjeck also returned, starting the game in an anchor midfield position in front of the defence. Solid, he delivered a splendid long-pass to Dimitri Foulquier to set-up Stade Rennes’ goal. Higher on the field, Fabien Lemoine and Vincent Pajot worked well together towards the pressing. A particular mention for the 2008 Gambardella Cup winner who managed a performance of the same (very good) level as the one already displayed against Vannes. With time, the U21 French international in turning into more than a back-up option. Even in terms of impact, Frédéric Antonetti can now be assured he can rely on Pajot.
In defence, the 100% senegalese pair of centre-backs (Pape Malick Kandji and Kader Mangane) showed solidity. The youngster worked well in the shadow of his mentor, even though he sometimes lacked of authority, as in this action against David De Freitas (18’). The two full-backs have showed a lot of activity. Dimitri Foulquier and Kévin Théophile-Catherine often managed to bring a solution on their respective flanks, also the second-name showed a bit more difficulties in the ball transmission.

In the goals, Benoît Costil had a bit more work than three days ago. However, the attempts of Gaëtan Charbonnier, David De Freitas and former Nantes player Claudiu Keserü didn’t worry him too badly (10’, 25’, 29’). However, Angers were showing more than a match in the first half, putting the Rennes eleven in some difficulty, pressing very high on the ball carrier. Often forced to do fouls, Rennes conceded multiple set-pieces in their last thirty metres, giving a few good opportunities to Anger’s official free-kicks taker, Claudiu Keserü, fortunately without consequences. Finally, in attack, it has to be noted that Brahimi and his team-mates didn’t manage the same level of performances as their second-half substitutes.

Féret, in charge of the play

Although a striker is still awaited in order to close the recruitment of Stade Rennes this summer, the two signings Julien Féret and Jonathan Pitroipa are already looking like successful choices. Positioned as a playmaker during this match, Julien Féret only needed a few minutes to show all the extent of his qualities, and to show the pertinence of his movement and passing. The will showed by the Breton to find deep passes or spaces is a breath of fresh air in terms of Rennes’ playing style. His vision could have been reflected on the score board twice: when he had a chance to organise the play in front of the goal, Féret created constant chaos within the Angers back-line.
Jonathan Pitroipa also brought some added value in comparison with the first-half. Launched by Féret, he wasn’t able to beat former Rennes goalkeeper Grégory Malicki. A genuine troublemaker upfront, his defensive worked is also noticeable, since Pitroipa didn’t hesitate to help Danzé when required.

On the left wing, Abdoul Camara was transformed in comparison to his poor game in Vannes. Showing more implication, he was put in ideal position on two deliveries by Montaño and Féret (47’, 52’) and also when he took a free-kick remarkably well and on target. Unsuccessfully, but his performance was encouraging as long as he continues in this direction. Victor Hugo Montaño made a lot of efforts in attack. His calls for the ball stretched the defence and profited to Camara and Pitroipa. The Colombian didn’t have much luck in the final gesture however, seeing his attempts stopped by Malicki (73’, 79’) or go wide (62’, 85’).
At defensive midfield, Tongo Doumbia gained in consistency throughout the game, and tried to bring support forward. As for Alexander Tettey, he showed little inspired since the beginning of the friendly games. Let’s hope the Norwegian will raise his level over the next few weeks.

In defence, Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik disgusted his opponents by annihilating many dangerous situations with world class defensive gestures in front of Gaëtan Charbonnier and Férébory Doré (46’, 82’). He was even mightily close to restore Rennes’ lead on a header following a corner-kick by Féret, but Malicki reacted well (64’). The rest of the Rennes defence (John Boye, Romain Danzé, Yassine Jebbour) showed they are no pushovers, far from it.
Rennes’ second goalkeeper, Abdoulaye Diallo, was powerless on Keserü’s goal. He had difficulties with his foot-play however. Whatever happened, this second half will left a bittersweet taste to the “Rouge et Noir”, who created multiple chances without managing to materialise their domination in the open play. An assessment already made against Vannes a few days earlier.

What did we learn?

Boukari, a credible alternative

Waiting for the likely arrival of a centre-forward, Frédéric Antonetti can be satisfied with the presence of Razak Boukari nonetheless, as the player offers an additional solution in attack. Used as a centre-forward for the second consecutive time, the Togo international showed his potential by bringing vivacity and depth to the Stade Rennais attack. In competition with Montaño, he has won his duel with the Colombian so far. However, none of them has managed to score yet.

Are Rennes relying on Verhoek?

The question was already persistent before this friendly game, and the positioning of John Verhoek on the right flank (with Razak Boukari starting at centre forward) has intrigued the many Rennes supporters attending the game at the Stade Municipal de Carnac. Absent in the construction, the Dutchman certainly has a few mitigating circumstances to his benefit, but it has to be admitted that Verhoek’s profile is not looking like this of a future Stade Rennais winger. His goal isn’t very likely to change much to the situation either. Is a loan move on the agenda?

Mangane will speak

Still vague when it comes to his contract extension at the Stade Rennais, Kader Mangane should say more about the matter in the next few days. Last Monday, he had revealed in Ouest-France that he would only discuss his situation after the pre-season training camp. “So far, I haven’t signed anything, Mangane explained. Naturally, a contract extension is a possibility, but as I’ve already said, he would like to be done with the training camp before taking my decision”. The camp is now over, and we are waiting to know the decision by the Senegalese defender to extend or not his contract with Stade Rennes until 2014.