Jorge Sampaoli
The squad
« The group is complete apart from Alidu Seidu. »
External difficulties
«The first diagnosis is that the team's difficulties away from home are linked to results and operations. We need to work hard and get the players to play as much at Roazhon Park as they do away from home. We work tactically and strategically and there's also a psychological aspect that comes into play. The result obviously has something to do with that. What we want above all is for the team to respect a style. I'm looking for players who can interpret my style of play. »
The importance of pistons
« It's a position where the distances to be covered are obviously enormous. That's a characteristic of our game. Players on the flanks are very important to us, particularly in terms of their attacking contributions. »
Derbies
« In the places where I've coached, I've experienced derbies and intense classicos. And that includes the national teams. I was able to gauge the importance of this match in Nantes. We hope that our supporters will be happy after the match. »
Training opens to the public on Saturday
« We all felt it was very important to see the fans before the match, to have this closeness. It's a very positive thing and maybe over time we'll be able to repeat it. At times like this, the players also understand their responsibilities and the fans give them energy. »
Lorenz Assignon
The victory against Saint Etienne
« This win is good for the team, good for the strikers, good for the defence and good for our heads too. It's been a happy week. But we're also clear about what still needs to be done.»
Coach's instructions
« The coach knows where he wants to take us and he's the right man for the job. I know he's there to help us progress, and that's what we need, and I'm very happy about that. »
The role of the piston
« I wasn't trained for this position, I mainly played in the back 4, so I've discovered this role. I feel that the coach is leading us to make the most of our potential, he knows what he wants. It's up to me to find the reflexes to be the best offensively and defensively in this role. »
The derby in Nantes
« As soon as we arrived in Rennes, we were made aware of the importance of this match in Nantes. I always look forward to these games. For the fans and the players, they always have a special flavour. You have to go there to win, to impose yourself. »
Antoine Kombouaré, FC Nantes coach
« Contrary to what you might think, we're going into this match with confidence and motivation. It's not a derby, it's a derby. We're aware that we're in a complicated series. It's a different game to the others, and beyond the 3 points, we're talking about this rivalry. We want to win for ourselves and for our supporters. If ever there was a match to please our supporters and make amends, this is it.»
Matchday 14 - Ligue 1 McDonald's
FC Nantes / Stade Rennais F.C.
Sunday 8 December - 5.00 pm
La Beaujoire
