Changes for an imperative victory ?

Before facing Bordeaux this Wednesday, Stade Rennes is under pressure. After three games without a win and two very disappointing defeats on the road, Frédéric Antonetti need a victory against Bordeaux to avoid a depressing winter break. Even a draw would have a taste of defeat for the Bretons.

After the failed trip to Spain and Corsica, Frédéric Antonetti has returned to a more usual squad. Of the twenty-five players who made the trip, twenty have been called again, still two more names than the manager can write down on his match sheet. Present during the week, Cheick N’Diaye, Dimitri Foulquier, Yassine Jebbour and Fantamady Diarra are out of the squad and already in holidays. Same thing for Georges Mandjeck, who suffers with a hamstring injury according to the club.

In order to compose his starting eleven, Frédéric Antonetti will have a large choice, with only one player officially unavailable. In defence, this game against Les Girondins will be an occasion to see the return of Kader Mangane, expected to start at centre-back according to L’Équipe this Tuesday. The Rennes captain could reconstitute his usual partnership with Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik.
Fully recovered of a little hamstring injury, Razak Boukari should also be considered for a position in the starting eleven. The Togolese could profit of a large reshuffle in attack, since Rennes’ attacking line was strongly criticised following the mediocre performance in Ajaccio. Brahimi could also start, while Pajot is likely to replace Doumbia at midfield.

Stade rennais FC

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

• Injured : Mandjeck (hamstring)
• Suspended : n/a
• Manager’s decision : N’Diaye, Foulquier, Jebbour, Kandji, Dalmat, Doucouré, Issah, Rouger, Diarra, Sané

- Photo : srfc.frenchwill.fr