Youth Power?
As it is often when the Coupe de la Ligue arrives, the Stade Rennais is expected to show a very different face to its usual Ligue 1 line-up. Several key players should indeed be rested, leaving the pitch free to a young, very young squad. Facing them, the En Avant Guingamp should be bringing in a squad with all its usual elements.
An even younger team
Is the Coupe de la Ligue a second tier competiton? In all cases, and just as last year against Sochaux, Frédéric Antonetti is expecting to start with a team much different to the eleven lined up against Paris at the Parc des Princes last Sunday. Some key members of the team are expected to get some rest, and the field should be opened to the professional group’s youngsters.
Alongside Johann Carrasso, who is logically expected to start his first competitive games in the goals, several players should be offered their first appearance with the professional team in competitive fixtures. According to L’Equipe, John Boye and Samuel Souprayen could start in defence, while right back Yassine Jebbour and reserve striker Frank Julienne, (picture), having already scored four goals with the Reserve this season, could be offered their professional beginnings at 19.
To mentor the youngsters, captain Kader Mangane should play in central defence, while Jérôme Leroy, a substitute at the Parc des Princes, should come back in his favourite playmaker position. Despite his 35 years, the only former Guingamp player in Frédéric Antonetti’s squad won’t make a difference to the team’s average age, which should be of 22.7 years at kick-off according to Le Télégramme.
The other senior players in the professional squad, such as Douchez, Dalmat, Montaño, Marveaux or Danzé should be starting on the bench or simply left to rest in Rennes. Same program for Yann M’Vila, whose early season has already been rather hectic, on both the sports and family aspects.
In Guingamp, the key players are present
The En Avant manager since the beginning of this season, former Rennes player Jocelyn Gourvennec is preparing for this clash in a very different spirit. Even though he guaranteed to Ouest France on Monday, that he had lined-up his “best possible team” last Saturday against Colmar, the young manager is not expected to rest any of his key players on Wednesday.
According to L’Équipe, young goalkeeper Samassa, having started all the team’s game since the beginning of the season, should be the only one to leave his place to his substitute Yassine El Kharroubi. Usual key players of the Armorican team should all be taking part in this game, including defenders Christian Bassila, Bakary Koné, and Dorian Lévêque, and midfielders Lionel Mathis and Thibault Giresse. Around them, the club’s young players should be present to boost the Guingamp attack, including Hervé Bazile, Yann M’Vila and Yacine Brahimi’s former partner in the French youth national selections, or Anthony Knockaert, 18 and credited with an assist last week-end.
In other words, and as in 2009 at the Stade de France, the experience might not be where everyone expects to see it. Same causes, same effects?