Habib Beye
Update on the squad
‘Andrés Gómez is on the recovery list, but he won't be ready for Saturday's game. Ludovic Blas will also be out with a minor injury.
The result against Paris
‘As far as the content of the match is concerned, the result was indeed harsh. But if a team scores four goals, it's because they deserved it and that, at some point, we were lacking. That was the case in stoppage time and those are things we absolutely have to put right.
Lack of attacking flair
‘I think we've made a lot of progress in controlling the game. What we still need to perfect, and I think this is our biggest area for improvement, is the validation of our strong moments. Dominance for 10, 15 or 20 minutes that we fail to convert into goals. Against PSG, we had two clear goalscoring opportunities that should have enabled us to draw level, but we didn't do that. We've worked hard on that this week.
If you have to run 70 metres towards your own penalty area to prevent a goal, you have to do it, no matter what time of day it is.
Ongoing efforts on the pitch
‘The intensity we have to put into our defensive retreats is non-negotiable. Whether it's a 10, 20 or 30 metre run. If you have to run even 70 metres towards your area to prevent a goal, you have to do it, no matter what time of the match it is. That's another area where the group needs to improve.
Mohamed Kader Meïté's first start
‘He's a player who's discovering the very highest level, so there's bound to be room for improvement in a number of areas. But to be able to put in a performance like that on his first start as a professional against players like him is, for me, a sign that his future will be bright if he continues to work hard. He's a committed lad who's in line with his ambitions.
The match against Lens
‘Every match is a good test for us. It's going to be an exciting game, on a football pitch, with the Lens fans. When you're coming off a defeat, you really want to get back to winning ways. As usual, we'll be going into this match with the ambition of winning it. We'll be up against a team that won against Marseille, proof that they have a lot of quality.
Anthony Rouault
His arrival at Rennes
‘I'm very happy with my adventure in Germany, but my ambition was always to join a big French club. My time at Stuttgart gave me a lot of experience. When the opportunity arose at Stade Rennais, I really wanted to join the club.
A long-term project
‘I knew Stade Rennais well. I know that it's a club with the ambition and the resources to be at the top of the table. The season was certainly going to be more complicated than if I'd stayed at Stuttgart, but I looked ahead to the following seasons. And I hope that, from next year, we'll be able to compete with the best in the league.
His development since leaving Toulouse
‘I've been able to discover a new league, the Bundesliga, which is particularly demanding for defenders. There's a lot of space and duels. That's where I've been able to make progress. I've also played in the Champions League and come up against some great teams. I've learnt a lot and it's that experience that I want to put to good use here at Rennes.
Whatever our age, we all have experiences to share so that we can grow together.
His adaptation to the team
‘In the end, the whole team was starting from scratch, even for those who were already at the club, because a new staff arrived. We all had to find our feet, get to know each other and integrate the coach's game plan. The aim was to create a rapid connection between us so that we could win games very quickly. I think that's been pretty successful, and the aim now is to maintain this momentum until the end of the season.
His leadership
‘I came here to bring my experience, particularly with younger players like Jérémy Jacquet. But I think we all bring things to each other. Whatever our age, we all have experiences to share so that we can progress together. Personally, I'm going to try to set an example and be the best I can be.
His position in defence
‘I played in several positions at Stuttgart: on the left, in the centre, on the right and even a bit on the flank. Playing in the centre of a three-man defence might be one of my favourite positions, although I can't really say if I have a preference. If need be, I'll be able to adapt.
Will Still, RC Lens coach
« Rennes have picked up since the change of coach. They are a team in good form, having won 4 of their last 6 games. Rennes run a lot, press high and play a direct and very vertical game. What's more, they have a good dose of individual quality. This match will be a good challenge. We'll have to show the best version of ourselves, be good with the ball, calmer under pressure and be clinical when we have chances. »
J26 de Ligue 1 McDonald's
RC Lens / Stade Rennais F.C.
Samedi 15 mars 2025 – 21h05
Stade Bollaert-Delelis
Match diffusé sur DAZN
