Lemoine: “It feels good”

On the side lines since he had his right kidney removed in August, Fabien Lemoine was returning to competitive football with the Stade Rennais Reserve at Saint-Pryvé this week-end (1-1). Starting the game at midfield, the Breton played one hour before being replaced for the final fifteen minutes.

Talking to L’Équipe, Lemoine said his pleasure to be returning under the Rennes shirt after his terrible accident: “It went well, even though I struggled after half-time, my legs were feeling quite heavy”. Nothing surprising after more than 4 months of inactivity.

Announced as a possible pick in Frédéric Antonetti’s squad for the game in Bordeaux, Lemoine was eventually left to play with Laurent Huard’s team in order to build some fitness. One thing is certain, the player comforted everyone on the touch-line, and promised he wasn’t feeling any apprehension when entering into challenges.

Next week, the Fougères is most likely to play with the Reserve again, for the game against Cherbourg on Sunday at La Piverdière. But it is also possible that Antonetti would call him for the first team’s game against Valenciennes. A presence which would certainly please the Rennes supporters highly in this end of 2010.