Before the Stade Rennais match this Thursday evening against Leicester in the round of 16 second leg of the Conference League, Florian Maurice was the guest of France Bleu Armorique. The club’s sports director believes the feat is possible at Roazhon Park. Rennes have already shown it elsewhere.
Do you feel the fervor of the supporters around this match? It is important?
Florian Maurice: “Yes, we feel that the popular fervor is there, we feel that the city of Rennes, the club and the stadium want to create the feat because it will be a real feat following the first leg lost 2-0. We had not imagined this result. We had a good game there. So we want to repeat that and we want to create the conditions precisely to rachieve this feat and take Stade Rennais to the quarter-finals.”
Do as in 2019 against Arsenal and the 3-1 victory?
Florian Maurice: “This result, in any case, would be very favorable and would allow us to pass. But a match is built. So, we have an hour and a half, or even more to qualify. We did everything this week within the group to put in place the conditions to achieve this formidable feat.
What conditions are you talking about?
Florian Maurice:It’s mostly psychological, being convinced that you can do it. I think we did something important. We play a very attractive football that allows us to believe in the feat. We proved it at Groupama Stadium in Lyon a few days ago. We were able to score goals once again. And tonight, indeed, we will once again have to be very efficient.”
Maturity is also something that Stade Rennais lacks a bit, at least in European competitions?
Florian Maurice: “Yes, afterwards, Stade Rennais is a very young club in these competitions. But little by little, I find that the club has gained in confidence and gained in maturity. Well, afterwards, I repeat once again, it will be a feat if we manage to pass this round.”
Because Stade Rennais has never reached a quarter-final in a European competition…
Florian Maurice: “That’s why it’s really something very special and I hope that tonight we will come out of the match proud and qualified”.
Bad news all the same, the long absence of goalkeeper Alfred Gomis, injured in the hand. It was you, Florian Maurice, who recruited his replacement, the very young Dogàn Alamdar, who is only 19 years old. He’s ready for tonight’s game?
Florian Maurice: “Yes, he is ready. Afterwards, when I made this recruitment at the start, it was for him to be third goalkeeper. Afterwards, in a season, there are hazards, there are injuries and there must be present. I hope with all my heart that he will be present tonight and who will live up to our expectations.”
A word from the Ligue1 championship, since Rennes are one point from second place ten days from the end of the season. The club is aiming for the podium for this year?
Florian Maurice: “What is certain is that we are aiming for European places as was planned at the start of the season. But the championship this year is really very, very tight, especially at the top of the table, and it will have to fight to the end. We do not project much on what will happen. We take the matches quietly, as best we can, and that’s the best way to get there. The objective of the club is to be European. We will see which European Cup we will play next season.”