Stade Rennais FC will face OGC Nice on Friday night without first-choice goalkeeper Brice Samba and top scorer Estéban Lepaul. Manager Franck Haise confirmed the significant absences ahead of the Ligue 1 match (7pm).
Samba is dealing with a thigh issue, Haise said. Lepaul remains sidelined with the ankle injury sustained against Paris FC. Their absence comes at a tough time for the club, which is winless in its last five matches (0 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses). This poor run includes a 5-2 loss in Nice on 30 October, where Sebastian Szymański scored early and Boulaye Dia netted a penalty, but also a 3-0 win over Strasbourg on 25 October featuring a Szymański brace and a goal from Dia.
The 21-man squad for the trip therefore includes 20-year-old goalkeeper Kilian Belazzoug, who is yet to make a professional appearance, and Nicolas Lemaître. Defender Noé Le Page (18) is also in the group. However, Henrick Do Marcolino and Arnaud Nordin were not selected.
These defensive and offensive setbacks weaken Stade Rennais FC before a key fixture. The team lost 5-2 on the same pitch in Nice just last week. Sebastian Szymański and Boulaye Dia were on the scoresheet, but a hat-trick from Elye Wahi proved decisive. Lepaul, with 7 goals in 7 appearances this season, will be sorely missed.
Following this match, Stade Rennais FC will turn their focus to the home game against Olympiakos Piraeus on Thursday 5 November. The immediate priority is to halt the losing run on Friday night at the Allianz Riviera, especially as the team has lost its last two matches and will be looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat.
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