Stade Rennes want to keep up with the “bigger teams”

On 9th November, the French professional league of football decided to advance the games Lyon-Rennes and Toulouse-Lille to the Friday. The aim? To give an additional recovery day to the Lyonnais and Lillois before their Champions League games on Tuesday. According to Frédéric Antonetti, it is the OL’s demand that made it happen. “I can perfectly understand the request made by Lyon, I would have done the same, but it came late”, regretted the coach who likes to see all his players having three full days of rest between games. “I had given my players a rest day on Monday, I had to change my entire training program.”

"No visible influence on the pitch"

"Lyon dominated the first decade of the 21st century, which gives them a huge influence on French football”, he continued. “That sort of power is earned by winning titles, by building continuity with people present since twenty-five years, it doesn’t disturb me. I would love to have a similar influence on French football. It doesn’t belong only to Lyon but to all big clubs and I repeat it, they’ve earned it.” Before sending a warning: “I hope there will be no visible influence on the pitch, and that both teams will be treated equally. (…) That there will be no refereeing mistakes favouring one team or the other. Some are more fragile than other, even amongst the managers.”

Trying not to lose touch before the winter break

“The games in Lyon are always interesting to play since Lyon is a team that likes to play”, the Rennes manager reckons. Starting with the trip to Gerland, the Bretons will play eight games until 21st December, six in Ligue 1 and two in the Europa League. For Frédéric Antonetti, “the six league games are important. We have to keep up with the bigger teams, to stay within the right group, even though they are setting a very high pace. At the moment, we are a little bit behind.”

Confidence despite the absentees

This advanced game results in the suppression of a resting day for the players having taken part in international fixtures such as Jonathan Pitroipa, Razak Boukari, Georges Mandjeck or Alexander Tettey. The team will also have to do without the injured Kader Mangane, Yacine Brahimi and John Boye, as well as Onyekachi Apam, still working on his fitness. And – maybe – without Yann M’Vila, slightly injured with « les Bleus ». The club profited of the international break to allow the Rennais that remained at La Piverdière to recharge the batteries. According to Frédéric Antonetti, “it was beneficial for those who didn’t join their national team”

Despite a few disappointments recently, the Rouge et Noir have gained in confidence, and the 22 points already earned in Ligue 1 are important for the morale. Georges Mandjeck is feeling very confident before Lyon : « It’s a big opponent, but we will do our best to bring a good result back. Last year, we had managed a draw there and I believe we can do even better this year. Because we have a good squad that works well together, and because we play on our qualities before looking at what our opponents do.”

Nicolas Auffray - Le Mensuel de Rennes

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