Less and less room for tactical choices

Last week-end, it was a group of twenty players that was selected to face AS Saint-Étienne. This Thursday, they will only be nineteen. Victim of a pulled muscle against St-Etienne, John Boye is the last name on an already long injury list on which he joins Boukari, Mangane and Brahimi, in addition to Apam who’s still in recovery.

Therefore, possibilities are reduced for Frédéric Antonetti in defence. It seems clear that Danzé will start at right-back against Atlético, while Kana-Biyik and Théophile-Catherine will pair at centre-back. On the left flank, although the performance of Mavinga against the ASSE has been a matter of concern, the U21 international could be on the initial line-up, with Yassine Jebbour as a possible alternative solution.
At midfield, the Rennes manager has got less concerns and can count on all his players. However, against Atlético, Antonetti could be tempted to rest some players and give some playing-time to others. One could naturally think about the case of Yann M’Vila, who has only started one game on the substitutes’ bench since the beginning of the season and had reduced training sessions this week. Antonetti could also rest Féret in favour of Dalmat, who managed good performances since the beginning of the season.
In attack, Pitroipa is in the same situation as M’Vila. With Costil, the Burkinabe is the only player of the squad to have started every game this season. With the non-attendance of Boukari and Brahimi, there are few alternatives. If Antonetti decided to leave Pitroipa on the substitute bench, the attacking line-up would definitely be composed of Kembo, Hadji and Montaño.

Gregorio Manzano, the Atlético manager, doesn’t have the same issues. The only major player unavailable for this game is Portuguese right back Silvio. Therefore, the Spanish coach could make some tactical choices. Defender Antonio López and midfielder Koke stayed in Madrid, letting their partners take the plan to Brittany this morning.

Stade rennais FC

- Goalkeepers : Costil, Diallo
- Defenders : Danzé, Foulquier, Jebbour, Kana-Biyik, Mavinga, Théophile-Catherine
- Midfielders : Dalmat, Doumbia, Féret, Mandjeck, M’Vila, Pajot, Tettey
- Forward : Hadji, Kembo, Montaño, Pitroipa

• Injured : Apam (knee), Boukari (shoulder), Mangane (ankle), Brahimi (ankle), Boye (thigh)
• Suspended: none
• Manager’s decision : N’Diaye, Kandji, Doucouré, Issah, Rouger, Diarra, Sané, Sissoko

Atlético Madrid

- Goalkeepers : Courtois, Asenjo
- Defenders: Godín, Filipe, Domínguez, Perea, Miranda, Pulido
- Midfielder : Mario Suárez, Tiago, Salvio, Reyes, Arda Turan, Assunção, Gabi, Juanfran, Diego
- Forward : Adrián, Falcao, Pizzi

• Injured : Silvio (groin)
• Suspended : none
• Manager’s decision: Joel, Antonio López, Koke