Antonetti wants to play the Europa League “totally”

During their three previous European campaigns, Stade Rennes clearly failed to shine, sometimes giving the impression to snub the honour of participating.
In 2005-2006, under Laszlo Bölöni’s management, the Breton club had brilliantly eliminated Osasuna (3-1, 0-0), before collapsing during the Group phase (four defeats in as many games).
In 2007-2008, under Pierre Dréossi, same thing again: The qualification against Lokomotiv Sofia (3-1, 1-2) was only opening the way to a lacklustre group-phase (two draws, two defeats).
Finally, in 2008-2009, after qualifying from the Intertoto and going through a qualifying round against Stabæk, Guy Lacombe’s men were knocked out before the group phase, against Twente (2-1, 0-1).

In his press conference, Frédéric Antonetti announced that good European performances would be one of his aims for next season. “We will play the Europa League totally, the manager promised, according to Le Mensuel de Rennes. To say we want to win it would be presumptuous, but we want to go as far as possible». The coach goes on to affirm that “qualifying for the group-phase is necessary, as is trying to qualify out of them”.