Habib Beye
Group update
« Azor Matusiwa came down with a bit of a virus last night, so we didn't want to take any chances. We're still assessing his situation with the doctor. Anthony Rouault took a knock in training. There was a small effusion, nothing serious, but we preferred to work on him individually today. Seko Fofana is back.»
The match against Strasbourg
« We controlled the first twenty minutes. After that, I noticed a drop in intensity that caused us to lose control. We need to keep up the pace for as long as possible. And our aim is to ensure that our weak moments are moments of control. We need to regenerate as a team so that we can hit our opponents again. What's very positive is that we finished the game with the same level of intensity as our opponents. And the win gave us the peace of mind to continue putting things in place this week in training. »
Group management
« We need to foster emulation on a daily basis, starting with training. That's what I said to my players this morning: ‘The team in the game plan’, in other words getting everyone involved in the performance logic so that everyone can claim their place in the group, starting on Saturday against Saint-Étienne. The fact that we have such a wide range of players gives me the opportunity to put in place a number of different approaches and systems. It's satisfying to have a complete squad ready to perform.»
Game animation
« Nowadays, the players know exactly what is expected of them and the positions we want them to play. But we also have to leave room for their creativity, because that's their area of expression too. It's not a closed framework. I want them to be able to create, to express themselves individually to serve the collective. »
We need to leave room for the players' creativity. This area of expression belongs to them too.
The team's physical condition
« Physically the team is fine. But from the moment we want to press as we did in the previous match, we have to be able to put on an even greater intensity for short periods of time. And the aim is not to do that once, but thirty, forty or even fifty times during the match. All the while having the kind of control that will hurt our opponents.»
The captain
« Adrien Truffert embodies the Rennes identity. I think he's someone whose values are similar to those of the club. He was a fantastic captain in the match against Strasbourg. Now, I also need to see each of my players to form a nucleus, what I call the ‘Council of Elders’, who would represent the dressing room. We need time to get everyone's feelings. »
The opponent
« Saint-Étienne are a team with the ability to recover vertically, with a high density inside. They're capable of counter-pressing when they lose possession, with high-impact, fast attacking profiles that can cause us problems. Now we've also worked hard to cause them problems and impose our rhythm on them. »
Brice Samba
His first month at the club
« I'm very proud to have joined Stade Rennais, it's a great institution. My integration is going well. I'm getting to know everyone and getting my bearings. But my personal situation isn't the most important thing for me. If I'm here, it's to win as many games as possible with the team.»
Finding your bearings on the ground
« We train every day to create automatisms and perform well together. Top-level sport is all about change, so we have to adapt all the time, and that's part of a footballer's life. »
The arrival of Habib Beye
« The coach implemented his ideas in 48 hours, which wasn't easy. Every coach has his own way of looking at football. He wants a team that runs and attacks its opponents. That's what we managed to put in place in a short space of time and I think that, over the coming weeks, the system will be even better oiled.»
His decisive interventions against Strasbourg
« I didn't concede a goal and that's what a goalkeeper is looking for in a match. It was perhaps my most accomplished match since I've been here. I knew it was going to happen. I work very hard every day to be decisive and efficient. I think it's that rigour that also got me into the French national team. It's all down to hard work, dedication and always giving 100% in matches. »
Rennes' position in the rankings
« The team has some top players. We know that Stade Rennais isn't where it should be and I have no doubt that once everyone has got their bearings, the team will perform well. If we're all good at the same time, I'm sure the club will no longer be in that position. I have great confidence in the staff and the group.. »
Eirik Horneland, AS Saint-Étienne coach
« Rennes are a team that will be doing everything they can to get out of the danger zone quickly. After their success against Strasbourg, they'll be coming with confidence. We know that we're a successful team at home and we hope to continue in that vein. »
Matchday 21 Ligue 1 McDonald's
AS Saint-Étienne / Stade Rennais F.C.
Saturday 8 February - 9.05pm
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
