“It’s too early to make judgements”
Stade Rennais has just achieved a run of three victories but is the club really stronger than last year? Before the game against PSG on Saturday, Frédéric Antonetti assures he will need time to answer that question.
The next game will be exciting. Stade Rennais, leading the table after their 5-1 victory in Dijon, will be hosts to Paris Saint-Germain, a team considerably strengthened this summer, on Saturday. “This game is maybe a little more exciting for the environment but not for the coach” Frédéric Antonetti quickly calms things during the press conference.
In three games his team has already scored 12 goals, moved on a string of three successes, including the convincing last one in Dijon. Not enough to allow a good analysis of the Rennes tactic. “Of course, winning gives us confidence but I haven’t got enough lessons from the pitch yet. It’s too early to make judgements. We should wait ten games to do it because we have only played three games, including two in the Europa League which were part of our pre-season preparation.”
"Today, competition exists
The arrivals of Jonathan Pitroïpa and Julien Féret have given to the club creativity and speed. “There is still some things to address in the way we play” the coach moderates. “If the team is complete our potential is interesting. But according to last year’s run of events, you can understand my cautiousness." A reference to the many injuries that have spoiled Stade Rennais’ performances. “Since they realise that they are very close to each other in terms of level, players are motivated, the coach considers. They know they must perform in order to continue playing. Today, competition exists because we are preserved from injuries”. A situation well accepted by Victor Hugo Montano, the Colombian centre forward, as the club is looking for another striker. “It doesn’t bother me, he calmly assures. In every good clubs, there is competition.”
"These two months that people remember"
Beyond the cautiousness, there is a tiny feeling of revenge from last year. “I see when somebody talks to me about last season, it’s all about those last two months and not the first eight” the coach lets out. “We are going to try to do the same season than last year, but without those last months that people remember”, adds Victor Hugo Montaño. “We must learn from our mistakes during last season, the forward continues. But the team, despite its youth, has already acquired experience.”
How do you start the season by defeating the armada of PSG, beaten by Lorient last Saturday? According to the Colombian, “We have to be more motivated than they are, think it through and do it in style.”
Nicolas Auffray - Le Mensuel de Rennes
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