Antonetti: “We need that experience”

At the end of a rather rocky week, Stade Rennes is finally able to enjoy a much needed two-week break. Criticised after the defeat in Glasgow Frédéric Antonetti managed to find at least one positive side to this little media storm.

«I told the players that if we are getting the stick, it means we have grown , the Rennes manager explained after Sunday’s game. I’d rather get under attack, it means there are expectations placed on us, and that we are seen and showed more widely”.
A desire to relativize shared by Romain Danzé, who made sure to recall the honourable results managed by Rennes since the beginning of the season. “I think you expect too much from us, the Breton affirmed to the press. We are fifth in the league, things aren’t that dark. There is no way we could compete with the PSG, you have to look at us with reason”. In 2010-2011, after thirteen game weeks, Stade Rennes had only managed to get one more point than this season.

From this slightly tricky period, Antonetti is therefore trying to look at the positive aspect. “We need that experience, difficult nights like we had in Glasgow, the Corsican manager notes. Maybe in the Coupe de France, in a crucial game, we might show less inhibition. This experience is extraordinary. But we are not used to it, we are not Lille, Lyon, Marseille or Paris who are used to do it”.
The manager concluded by definitely closing the chapter of his argument with Patrick Le Lay in Scotland. “On a daily basis, he is a very interesting person since he is very knowledgeable, but sometimes, in terms of football, we have a different point of view, Antonetti remarked. We discussed it and we said to each other that we need to be solidary, all together. He lets me work, he told me he trusts me and I can feel it”. The Rennes president, to the contrary of his manager or to his Director of Sports, hasn’t publicly talked about the incident yet.

- Source : Le Mensuel de Rennes