how Julien Stéphan relaunched Stade Rennes

Three months after his return to the club, Julien Stéphan allowed Rennes to enjoy an interesting second part of the season which begins at AC Milan on Thursday in the C3 play-offs.

“Everything moves very quickly in football.” It’s a cliché heard too often in the world of football. But, for once, we would be tempted to borrow it from players lacking originality to evoke the situation at Stade Rennes. Traveling to San Siro, Thursday February 15 (9 p.m.), to challenge AC Milan in the Europa League play-offs, Rennes found a smile again in the wake of one man: Julien Stéphan.

Three months earlier, on November 20, the 43-year-old technician replaced Bruno Genesio as coach of the Breton club, then stuck in 14th place in Ligue 1 (after 12 days) with only two victories and a point ahead. on the dam operator.

For the Rennais by birth, it is a return to his roots since he already held this position from December 2018 to March 2021. “I’d be lying to you if I told you it was my first choice.”, admitted sports director Florian Maurice to RMC Sport. Because the choice to recall Guy Stéphan’s son came from shareholder François Pinault.

“I think I made a mistake.”

The idea of ​​renewing romance was not far-fetched. “When he first arrived, we were in a crisis and he did really wellanalyzes Gaël Danic, consultant for France Bleu Armorique. We know he is capable of turning things around.” He then led the Rouge et Noir to victory in the Coupe de France in 2019 – their first major title in 48 years – and to their first participation in the Champions League during the 2020-2021 season.

Before, the following year, leaving his post, considering himself short of solutions to maintain the bar. A decision that he deeply regretted on BeIN Sports: “I think I made a mistake. If I had to do it again, I would do it differently.”

After an experience in Strasbourg (2021-2023), Julien Stéphan was offered a second chance in the club of his heart. He knew how to grasp it. Despite a difficult handling (three consecutive defeats in December), it allowed Stade Rennes to surf a still ongoing series of nine matches without defeat in all competitions.

Newfound confidence and defense

Qualified for the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France (where it will face Puy-en-Velay, residents of N2), Rennes have won their last five Ligue 1 matches – no one has taken so many points in the league over this period. Enough to return to 7th position, four points from 6th place, qualifying for the Europa Conference League.

“The priority is to restore a form of confidence”, warned Stéphan during his presentation. He succeeded. “Confidence has returned because they are winning matches that they should not normally win, like in Le Havre (1-0), Sunday”estimates Frédéric Piquionne, consultant for Prime Video. “He had to talk a lot with his players to get their heads straight”continues Gaël Danic.

The Breton defense is the perfect illustration of this. Widely criticized at the start of the season because “she made a low-level mistake in every match” In Danic’s words, the rearguard is more reassuring. Twelfth defense in Ligue 1 upon her appointment, she is now 7th having conceded only six goals in the last nine matches.

While a central defender was expected during the winter transfer window, it was ultimately Alidu Seidu who arrived from Clermont, presumably to play right back. A sign sent to Warmed Omari, 23-year-old center back, very disappointing at the start of the season? “It’s a great mark of confidence not to have recruited someone”thinks Gaël Danic, left winger of the club at the beginning of the century.

A saving system change

To restart the machine, Julien Stéphan also changed the system. After an unconvincing 3-4-3, he opted for a 4-4-2 since the 32nd final of the Coupe de France against Guingamp (2-0), on January 7.

“The Julien Stéphan pawit’s the system, confirms Frédéric Piquionne, SRFC striker from 2001 to 2004. He found the best scheme for this team.” This one made people happy. Up front, the Arnaud Kalimuendo-Martin Terrier pairing seems reinvigorated.

“Kalimuendo is made to play in pairs, it’s impossible for him to be alone given his characteristics”, confirms Piquionne. The ex-Lensois has scored seven goals in the last eight games compared to only three in the first part of the season. “Certainly the 4-4-2 organization suits Arnaud better (Kalimuendo)”, agreed Stéphan after the success at Guingamp (2-0).

The observation is the same for Martin Terrier. “He was a little confined to the left side. Today, he has multiple solutions in the axis”, appreciates Danic. The former Lyonnais has four goals and an assist in the last four matches while he was only involved in two goals this season, under the orders of Bruno Génésio. Certainly, the striker had to gradually regain his sensations after ten months of absence due to a serious knee injury.

The crazy month of February (8 matches) has already allowed Rennes to get closer to its initial objective: European places. The course in the Coupe de France is successful and Stade Rennes can now dream of an exploit at AC Milan. For this, it will be carried on Thursday by more than 8,000 supporters.