After the break, no surprise

Coupe de France’s round of 64 is often an opportunity to face opposition from lower leagues, and therefore to experiment new solutions and give some playing time to youngsters, the 2012 edition will not go by this rule for the Stade Rennais.

Against a Ligue 1 team, with the club hoping to shine again in a Coupe de France where it hasn’t really managed great things since 2009, the best team should therefore be on the pitch. A squad lacking three suspended elements however: Kana-Biyik in defence, Doumbia at midfield, and Montaño upfront will all be absent.
However, Frédéric Antonetti will be able to rely for the last time on the players who will be involved in the African Cup of Nations. Those players will leave after the game to join their respective national teams. Youssouf Hadji and Kader Mangane (unless he experiences a relapse of his ankle injury) are already sure to be present, and could be joined by Jonathan Pitroipa, John Boye and youngster Cheick Fantamady Diarra, who are only pre-selected at the moment and will know their fate between now and next Wednesday.

In defence, the absence of Kana-Biyik could push Frédéric Antonetti to offer Onyekachi Apam his first start at the Stade de la Route de Lorient. The Nigerian could be paired with Kader Mangane, or Georges Mandjeck if Rennes’ captain was to forfeit. At midfield, the absence of Doumbia should logically result in Vincent Pajot replacing him while upfront, Hadji and Boukari seem in competition to start at centre forward.
Announced as doubtful after receiving a knock to the knee, Yacine Brahimi is finally in the squad for this game. However, his manager decided to call an additional player, youngster Diarra to cover for a possible forfeit of the French-Algerian.
Meanwhile, Stéphane Dalmat remains out of the squad, as well as Yassine Jebbour and Dimitri Foulquier

For Nancy, beyond the qualification, the main point of interest will be the integration of the recruits. Very active in the winter transfer window, the ASNL has brought back Sébastien Puygrenier – who could start in defence – and also registered the loans of former Caen attacking midfielder Yohan Mollo and former Saint Etienne centre-back Moustapha Bayal this week. Although the latter isn’t in the squad, the former is. Nancy hopes to receive the approbation of the LFP on his participation before Saturday evening.
Jean Fernandez is also facing the absence of two key players: Romanian striker Daniel Niculae is out with an ankle injury while midfielder Samba Diakité is suspended.

Stade rennais FC

- Goalkeepers : Costil, Diallo
- Defenders : Apam, Boye, Danzé, Mangane, Mavinga, Théophile-Catherine
- Midfielders : Féret, Mandjeck, M’Vila, Pajot, Tettey
- Forwards : Boukari, Brahimi, Diarra, Hadji, Kembo, Pitroipa

• Injured : n/a
• Suspended : Doumbia, Kana-Biyik, Montaño
• Manager’s decision : N’Diaye, Foulquier, Jebbour, Kandji, Dalmat, Doucouré, Issah, Rouger, Sané

AS Nancy-Lorraine

- Goalkeepers : Grégorini, N’Dy Assembé
- Defenders : Helder, Calvé, Sami, Lotiès, André Luiz, Puygrenier, Lemaître
- Midfielders : Brison, Mangani, Traoré, Sané, Zola, Karaboué, Mollo
- Forwards : Bakar, Moukandjo, Jo-Gook, Jeannot

• Injured : Niculae (ankle)
• Suspended : Diakité
• Not qualified: Bayal
• Manager’s decision : Pillot, Haïdara, Chahechouhe