Costil rested, Diallo’s turn to play

Last season, for their entrance in the Coupe de la Ligue in Guingamp, Frédéric Antonetti had chosen to completely reshuffle his usual team, notably giving a chance to youngsters with nearly no Ligue 1 experience. Johann Carrasso, Tongo Doumbia, Samuel Souprayen or Abdoul Camara were called, with many key players remaining in Rennes.
Was the collective failure of a year ago at the Roudourou a factor in the manager’s decision before the trip of this Wednesday in Le Mans? Clearly, although an A’ is expected to play at the MMArena, few important members of the first squad have finally been rested.

Benoît Costil, who hasn’t missed a single game of his team since the beginning of the season, is in this situation. A decision dictated by the necessity to give him some rest as well as by the desire to give Abdoulaye Diallo a chance to shine, since he is working in the shadows and waits for his third professional game since nearly two years (January 2010). Defender Kévin Théophile-Catherine, one of the most used players since the beginning of the season, is also rested.
Although one could have expected to see the arrival of a few players from the Reserve team, such as Dimitri Foulquier, Quentin Rouger or Abdoulaye Sané, they will all have to be patient and keep on working.

In attack, although penury of players could have been feared, Youssouf Hadji and Yacine Brahimi are finally returning, after the coaching and medical staff both agreed on their ability to play. Victims of minor thigh injuries last weeks, the players had to forfeit for the trip to Auxerre. They will be available this Wednesday, and could apply for a starting position.
In the contrary, Jirès Kembo will remain in Rennes. The hamstring injury he received at the end of the first half at l’Abbé-Deschamps doesn’t seem to worrying, but the French-Congolese will be given a few days rest to fully recover.

In Le Mans, Wednesday’s game is a good opportunity to spice up a very lacklustre beginning of the season. Le Mans manager Arnaud Cormier has called a group of nineteen players for this game, with midfielder Idir Ouali a major doubt. Three players are unavailable for Le Mans: forward Anthony Derouard, out with an ankle injury, Anthony Koura, suffering with cervical pain after a road accident, and Idrissa Sylla, injured to the adductors.

Stade rennais FC

- Goalkeepers : Diallo, N’Diaye
- Defenders : Danzé, Jebbour, Kana-Biyik, Mangane, Mavinga
- Midfielders : Dalmat, Doumbia, Féret, Mandjeck, M’Vila, Pajot, Tettey
- Forwards : Boukari, Brahimi, Hadji, Montaño, Pitroipa

• Injured : Apam (fitness), Boye (thigh), Kembo (thigh)
• Suspended : n/a
• Manager’s decision : Costil, Foulquier, Kandji, Théophile-Catherine, Doucouré, Issah, Rouger, Diarra, Sané

Le Mans FC

- Goalkeepers : Makaridze, Ovono
- Defenders : Adenon, Bamba, Boudebouda, Cuffaut, Doumbia, Gibaud
- Midfielders : Ekeng Ekeng, Louis, Narry, Ouali, Stromstad, Thomas, Zito
- Forwards : Belfort, Cissé, Diarra, Momi

• Injured : Derouard (ankle), Koura (cervicals), Sylla (thigh)
• Suspended: n/a
• Manager’s decision : Khedairia, Wague, Buaillon, Landel, Kanté, Zhang, Béhé, Vergerolle