I don’t like the term “spin” because that would mean that those who are going to play are stooges. – Bruno Genesio
At the heart of a three-game week, Stade Rennais receives the small thumb of its Europa League Conference group, the Slovenes of NŠ Mura this Thursday at Roazhon Park. Before the shock against Lyon next Sunday, Bruno Genesio admits that his eleven could be reshuffled, even if the Rennes coach does not mean that he is preparing to “turn” his squad.
“I don’t like the term “spin” because that would mean that those who are going to play are stooges. I have said it since the start of the season: we have a group, and it is with this group that we will achieve the end-of-season objectives. For me, this is not to rotate, it is to give the chance to those who play a little less, or who do not play, to show themselves in a European Cup match, an important match for qualifying. Yes, there will be changes, there will be players who will play and who have played less lately, but for me they are all potential and full holders in this group.”
Towards significant rotations?
At a press conference, Bruno Genesio said Loïc Badé would start against Mura, he who has only started once in the last eight matches at Stade Rennais (in Arnhem, where he was sent off), in place of Warmed Omari or Nayef Aguerd, who has played all matches in full since the start of the season. Present at a press conference Adrien Truffert should also start on the left flank of the defense in place of Birger Meling. The side trained at the club spoke about his reduced playing time this year, after a first professional season lived in the skin of a holder.
“It’s true that I have a little less playing time, admits Adrien Truffert. But I live it well, competition with ‘Biggy’ (Birger Meling, Editor’s note) is very healthy. The coach makes his choices: today the team is performing so the choices are good. We have a good group which lives well, when I am a replacement or when the others are, the objective is to do the maximum when we return and that’s why the group lives well.“A speech appreciably similar to that held by Serhou Guirassy before the first leg in Slovenia. The striker should also be established, as in every Conference League match this season (holder three times out of twelve Ligue 1 games).
The Rennes, leaders of their group, seem to have a little margin over their Slovenian opponent, despite a first leg won without having fully mastered the meeting. This Thursday, Croatian Lovro Majer should experience his first tenure in the Rennes jersey, potentially alongside Baptiste Santamaria and Flavien Tait in midfield. Young Lorenz Assignon and Loum Tchaouna, authors of good returns recently, could also start against Mura.
The probable composition
Gomis – Assignon, Badé, Aguerd, Truffert – Santamaria, Tait, Majer – Bourigeaud, Tchaouna, Guirassy.