Where will the OL – Rennes match be played?
This part will therefore take place near Groupama Stadium. The last OL deadline in his lair ended in a frustrating draw against FC Nantes on the score of 1-1. The goal will thus be to reconnect with success for Laurent Blanc’s men on their home soil. Especially since the latter remain on two draws at home. Worse, the elimination against these same Nantes in the middle of the week, and this, despite the victory snatched in Paris (0-1, 29th day of Ligue 1), in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France came to put a new big blow to an already very delicate season. Interesting on the outside, Stade Rennais will try, in this burning context, the discontent of Lyon supporters rising more and more, to play the spoilsports.
Who will referee the game?
It is Benoît Bastien who will hold the whistle during this OL – Rennes. This is the fourth time he will officiate during a match for the Rhone club. The man in black will be assisted by Hicham Zakrani and Aurélien Berthomieu. Guillaume Paradis will be the fourth referee. Finally, Thomas Léonard and Christian Guillard will be responsible for video assistance.
What channel will it be broadcast on?
Bous can follow this OL – Rennes live on Prime Video from 1:00 p.m. The last time these two teams faced each other, that is to say during the first leg of the French elite, it was Stade Rennais who won with a narrow score of 3-2. Laurent Blanc was then playing his very first match as coach of Olympique Lyonnais. This meeting will also be an opportunity for Bruno Genesio to find a stadium and supporters he knows particularly well, he being a child from the Rhone. And if they win, OL (9th) could come within three points of Stade Rennes (6th).
Pre-match statements
“We will do the sums at the end. But it’s true that the season is complicated, I said so when I arrived and I was right. It had to be complicated because Lyon changed coaches during the season. (…) Everyone is going through a difficult season, they surely even more than the average person, he explains, referring to the Lyon supporters who will boycott their team this Sunday. We can understand it. They must have suffered for a while now because OL’s results have not been up to par for a long time. But we need supporters like all clubs. It’s a shame to come to this. It’s their decision.”
Laurent Blanc (OL coach) at a pre-match press conference
“As often after a difficult result, the group was reactive. I have a combative group ready to set off again for the last nine matches, to seek this objective at the start of the season. OL can still have an objective, knowing fifth place, they have competitors, so I don’t expect any relaxation or abandonment from them.”
Bruno Genesio (Stade Rennais coach) at a pre-match press conference
What are the probable compositions of this OL – Rennes?
Laurent Blanc should still not be able to count on the return of Malo Gusto this Sunday. Dejan Lovren, hit against Nantes, is not sure he can be present. For the rest, we expect a 4-3-3 pattern with a Cherki – Barcola – Lacazette attack. The trio Corentin Tolisso – Maxime Caqueret – Benjamin Lepenant should also be well established in the midfield.
The probable XI of Olympique Lyonnais against Rennes: Lopes – Kumbedi Lukeba (or Lovren), Diamond, Tagliafico – Caqueret, Lepenant, Tolisso – Cherki, Barcola, Lacazette
For his part, Bruno Genesio will have to concoct his starting lineup without Adrien Truffert, on the flank. It is therefore Meling who will replace him on the left lane of the Breton defense. Rennes should be articulated in 4-4-2. Karl Toko Ekambi will not be able to participate in this match following an agreement with OL, who is on loan until the end of the current financial year. For the rest, Désiré Doué, Amine Gouiri and Arnaud Kalimuendo will have the heavy task of breaking the Rhone lock.
The probable XI of Stade Rennais against OL : Mandanda – Traore, Omari, Theate, Meling – Bourigeaud, Ugochukwu, Santammaria, Doué – Kalimuendo, Gouiri
