The keys to the second half of the season

This Saturday, the Rouge et Noir, fifth in Ligue 1, are travelling to Caen, fourteenth. The Bretons, with 32 points, will try to start the final five months of the competition on a good note against the Normans who have failed to win since November.

« First, we should do well at home against the big teams, then take as many points as possible against team between the tenth and twentieth positions », Frédéric Antonetti announces before the game. His target is to remain “in the pack that leads the championship”. “To reach 64 points would be good already, adds Vincent Pajot. The team finished around the fifth position over the last two or three years, we want to go one step higher. But we will see at the end of the season whether we can pretend to reach such a level ».

« To be consistent in our performances»

2012 started well with the elimination of Nancy in the Coupe de France, thanks to a promising first half. “The players could realise we are heading in the right direction”, the manager noted. By playing 30 games between August and December, the Rennais had some difficult times as in Montpellier (0-4), Nice (0-2) or Ajaccio (0-1). “We will have to be consistent in our performances, Frédéric Antonetti analyses. What we did against Nancy, we must do it again in Caen, and do it again as often as possible and for as long as possible». «We restarted on a good dynamic, Vincent Pajot rejoices. Against Nancy, we started the game well and created a lot of chances».

A way of playing which requests « lots of energy and freshness»

« Physically and mentally, we are feeling good », the young midfielder continues. The Rouge et Noir will now have to try and save some forces to impose their way of playing over the long-term “the way we are trying to play requests « lots of energy and freshness», admits Frédéric Antonetti. A style, according to Vincent Pajot, “based on pressing, aggressively and a lot of movement, in which we spend a lot of stamina». After having organised two short fitness-orientated training camps in January, the manager plans another in March. In order to avoid the slump experienced last season.

A catastrophic ending which Stade Rennais wants to keep in mind. For Frédéric Antonetti, «we pay the price for many things, notably the youth of the squad slightly immature and the heavy pitches”. In order to avoid injuries, a new training ground has been built, faster and dryer, therefore less dangerous for the muscle. “I also hope the players have realised what difficulties they could face in order to manage a good final straight, he finishes. We have to be there first, and then I hope we will negotiate it successfully. »

Nicolas Auffray - Le Mensuel de Rennes

- Crédit photo : www.rennes.lemensuel.com