Stade Rennais FC host OFI Crete this Thursday (9pm) for their second Europa League match, amid a recent poor run of four defeats in their last five games. Manager Franck Haise has warned his players against complacency.
"We had a good first fifteen minutes. It was after our goal that we didn't push enough on what we had started well," Haise told a pre-match press conference. That victory, featuring goals from Estéban Lepaul, Adrien Thomasson and a Boulaye Dia brace, ended a run of three straight league defeats. The coaching staff is now focused on fixing that pattern.
The Breton side, who drew 0-0 at Sturm Graz on matchday one, needs a home win to position themselves well in the group. Haise analysed the Greek opponents, describing them as "a solid and homogeneous team, which also knows how to be effective." They play a well-drilled 3-4-3 and can pack the midfield to disrupt Stade Rennais FC's build-up.
The squad is fully available with no fresh injuries, aside from the long-term absences of Quentin Merlin and Amine Nordin. The next challenge is immediate, with OFI Crete visiting on October 15.
More detail at staderennais.com
