Stéphan without his fit man in Angers

Good or bad, the series follow one another for the Rennais Stadium. The Rouge et Noir remain in three games without a win in Ligue 1, against LOSC, FC Lorient and RC Lens. Two draws and one loss for a single small goal scored. This Thursday, the Bretons can give themselves a little air with the parenthesis French Cup and a 32nd final to be played on the lawn ofAngers SCO, in the good memory of a completely crazy meeting last year, concluded in overtime with a victory for the men of Julien Stéphan (5-4 after).

A return and a lack of brand for Stade Rennais in Angers

After a very sad draw (0-0) on the field of RC Lens, at the Bollaert-Delelis stadium, on behalf of the 24th day of the French championship, Stade Rennais FC will travel once again this week, this time to the Raymond-Kopa stadium, to challenge Angers SCO in the 32nd round of the French Cup. For this meeting scheduled for Thursday evening (9 p.m.), the SRFC will be able to count on the return of its international midfielder, Steven Nzonzi, absent against the Sang et Or. “Steven has resumed training collectively, things are going better,” confirmed his trainer Julien Stéphan, who should summon the world champion for the match against Stéphane Moulin’s team. On the other hand, Flavien Tait, the former Angevin, will always be unavailable. “He is in the midst of re-athleticism, I think there is still a fortnight, three weeks,” said the technician from Rennes.

Another hard blow: the absence of the fit man of the moment in midfield, Clement Grenier. The former Guingampais, affected against the Merlus last week, was absent against Franck Haise’s team on Wednesday. He will not be back against the SCO, nor perhaps against ASSE, this Sunday in the Roazhon Park, and will be missed by his teammates in the Rennes animation. “Clément is still injured. It is a small muscle problem that he had after the match in Lorient, wanted to explain Julien Stephan. It will be too tight for Thursday, we’ll see for this weekend, but it might be a bit short. Definitely next week for the recovery. “

Julien Stéphan ready to renew his 3-5-2 in the Cup?

Never mind, the Breton coach has decided to turn against the neighbors of Maine-et-Loire: “There will be a few rotations in the workforce, three or four, because it is a week to three The team that will line up on Thursday will have the task of qualifying. ” This does not mean that Stade Rennais will not take the competition to heart. “We experienced particular emotions not so long ago, recalled Julien Stéphan. We will live it thoroughly. We will have a difficult match in Angers and we expect a strong reaction after their defeat of the weekend (3-0 against OGC Nice at the Allianz Riviera, note). ” Adrien hunou could have a little more playing time than recently, especially following the loan of the Senegalese striker M’Baye Niang in Al-Ahly, in Saudi Arabia, until the end of the season, when he almost slipped away to the Girondins de Bordeaux in the winter transfer window at the request of the twirling winger Hatem Ben Arfa, his former teammate.

Unless Julien Stéphan confirms his experimental attacking duo against Angers. Indeed, in Lens, the Rennes coach tried a pair Serhou Guirassy – Martin Terrier. “They looked for each other, tried to combine with each other. The biggest opportunity comes from a delivery from Martin with a strike from Serhou. I had asked them to be close to each other. to combine as much as possible around the surface. ” A doublet that could be brought to replay together, potentially in the 3-5-2 tested by Stéphan in Lens, while the offensive sector of the SRFC is lacking in goals. “It had been in thought for a little while. Since we lack verticality, I put more people in the middle of the field.” With the aim, explains Stéphan, “to have very high lane players and attackers close to each other, which can open up possibilities for the midfielder in percussion. It can also happen again. There can be evolutions, adjustments in this system. We will see in the future. ” After the memorable title of 2019, snatched from the Paris Saint Germain in penalties, the Coupe de France is in the hearts of all Rennes supporters who are hoping for a qualification in the round of 16 and, why not, a new feat and one more trophy.

Through Matthieu

–