First choices at midfield

First match squad and first choices made by Frédéric Antonetti before the start of the 2011-2012 season. After the series of friendly games played by the Stade Rennais, it is at midfield that the manager had to take the most significant decisions.

In defence as in attack, the list of players called-up is without any major surprise. The versatility of Jebbour (able to play at both full back positions) has been preferred to Dimitri Foulquier, and upfront, John Verhoek has been unsurprisingly left in Brittany.
At midfield, behind the inevitable M’Vila and Féret, six players were challenging for the remaining three positions. Finally, it is Tongo Doumbia – author of several good games in the pre-season -, Georges Mandjeck and Alexander Tettey who will travel to Tbilissi. Left out, Stéphane Dalmat and Vincent Pajot will remain in Brittany while Fabien Lemoine is rested, suffering with his calf according to France Football’s website.

According to the club’s press release, the Rennes squad will take-off at 8:00 am tomorrow towards Caucasus, and land there five hours later (3:00 pm Georgian time). After a press conference, the players will train in Tbilissi in the evening. They will return to France during the night between Thursday and Friday.

Stade rennais FC

- Goalkeepers : Costil, Diallo
- Defenders : Boye, Danzé, Jebbour, Kana-Biyik, Mangane, Théophile-Catherine
- Midfielders : Doumbia, Féret, Mandjeck, M’Vila, Tettey
- Forwards : Boukari, Brahimi, Camara, Montaño, Pitroipa

• Injured : Apam (knee), Kembo (fitness), Lemoine (calf), Sissoko
• Suspended : n/a
• International : Mavinga (France U20), Diarra (Mali U20)
• Manager’s decision : N’Diaye, Foulquier, Kandji, Dalmat, Issah, Pajot, Rouger, Verhoek

- Photo: srfc.frenchwill.fr