Brahimi and Kana-Biyik out against Toulouse

Yet again, the Rennes manager has to deal with a deplorable situation in terms of the squad’s situation. Seven players – and many important ones – are currently unavailable because of various injuries.

Frédéric Antonetti explained recently, that he was trying to understand the reasons of this situation and to find solutions to solve it.

No problems as far as the goalkeepers as concerned. Nicolas Douchez will be present and Johann Carrasso will sit on the bench at the Stadium Municipal de Toulouse, this Sunday evening.

In defence, the situation is critical with the absence of the two usual starters at centre-back: Kader Mangane and Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik. The latter was doubtful until the last moment, but was forced to renounce because of a thigh muscle pain, which already kept him out of the game against Nice. Romain Danzé, Kévin Théophile-Catherine et Samuel Souprayen should all be starting, as well as John Boye, who managed a convincing performance last week.

At midfield, Rennes suffer another blow with Yacine Brahimi’s injury (thigh), out for at least three weeks. However, Georges Mandjeck and Stéphane Dalmat return. Frédéric Antonetti is reportedly planning to include the latter in his starting eleven, as we reported yesterday, alongside M’Vila and Tettey.

In attack, Jirès Kembo is still out (with yet another thigh muscle injury). Antonetti will be able to count on Boukari, Camara, Montaño and Verhoek. Compared to last week, Frank Julienne is leaving the squad. Indeed, the Rennes manager has reduced his squad to eighteen men for this trip.

In Toulouse, Alain Casanova will be missing three players: Valverde, Pentecôte and Pelé. Norwegian forward Daniel Braaten is left out of the group, as well as former Rennes man Perrier-Doumbé.

Stade rennais FC

- Goalkeepers : Carrasso, Douchez
- Defenders : Boye, Danzé, Jebbour, Souprayen, Théophile-Catherine
- Midfielders : Dalmat, Doumbia, Lemoine, Leroy, Mandjeck, M’Vila, Tettey
- Forwards : Boukari, Camara, Montaño, Verhoek

• Injured : Apam (knee), Brahimi, Kana-Biyik (thigh), Kembo (thigh), Mandjeck (thigh), Mangane (thigh), Marveaux (thigh)
• Suspended: n/a
• Manager’s decision : Diallo, Dembélé, Julienne, Kandji, Caro, Issah

Toulouse FC

- Goalkeepers : Ahamada, Vidal
- Defenders : Congré, Gunino, Cetto, M’Bengue
- Midfielders : Ben Yedder, Devaux, Sissoko, Mansaré, Didot, Capoue, Sirieix, Machado, Regattin, Tabanou
- Forwards : Santander, Tafer

• Injured : Valverde (recovery), Pentecôte (recovery), Pelé (recovery)
• Suspended : n/a
• Manager’s decision : Atassi, Fofana, Mejia, Aigouy, Braaten, Perrier-Doumbé