Antonetti : « We are going to Paris to learn »
Second in Ligue 1 and unbeaten, the Stade Rennais is in a learning curve according to Frédéric Antonetti. For him, Sunday’s game against the Paris SG is just another step in his young players’ progress.
Before travelling to PSG (7th) on Sunday afternoon, Frédéric Antonetti insisted on his squad’s youth during the pre-game press conference, and admitted his players would face “a test” in the French capital. The manager’s words sound more than those of a youth coach than to a Ligue 1 Manager. «Every game week, we can measure our potential. We have to see the players in various situations. »
A great team in a year time?
The Bretons are second in Ligue 1, haven’t lost a game yet and have the best defence in France (2 goals conceded). However, the coach won’t give in: “We’re going to Paris to learn, the team is very young, they make their way, they gather experience.”. He prefers to look into the future. “In three months, six months, a year or 18 months, when the players will have more experience, we will have a really great team.”. To win or lose at the Parc des Princes doesn’t seem as important as the young Rennais’ performance. “50 to 60% of these players have never even been in the Parc des Princes, Frédéric Antonetti reminds. At some point they will have to learn against a team with a real attacking potential.”
Fifteen players in the professional squad are aged 22 years or less. “I’ve got ten players able to play with the U21”, the coach stated after the victory against Sochaux. Sunday in Paris, the team will have a bit more experience than the Corsican manager seems to think however. Among the likely starters, only four players have been involved in less than fifteen Ligue 1 games (Mandjeck, Kana-Biyik, Théophile-Catherine et Brahimi). The rest have already gathered a good to solid experience of the French top flight, from M’Vila (39 games) to Dalmat (230 games)
Kana-Biyik : “It will be difficult for them too”
Before travelling to Guingamp, then Nice next week, Kader Mangane’s teammates are expecting a close fight at the Parc des Princes. “We will have to be particularly solid defensively”, Frédéric Antonetti announces. “We have good players. It will be difficult for them too”, promises Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik with the assurance of his 21 years. And who knows? On Sunday evening, in case they win, the Bretons could find themselves on top of the League’s standing, since they only trail the current leader, Toulouse, by a point.
Expected Line-up
Douchez – Danzé, Kana-Biyik, Mangane, Théophile-Catherine – M’Vila, Mandjeck, Dalmat – Brahimi, Montaño, Marveaux.
Injured
Fanni, Apam, Tettey, Lemoine
Nicolas Auffray - Le Mensuel de Rennes
Picture : www.rennes.lemensuel.com