look back at an eventful and complicated start to the season

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Currently, Stade Rennais is 12th in Ligue 1 and seven points behind the European places, which is the club's objective at the start of the season.

A scenario that some find ” logic ” because of upheavals in the team during the summer transfer window, but also recruits who are not not up to par expectations, and a collective that has difficulty organizing itself.

A shaken team

Upset, that's the least we can say about this summer transfer window within the Rouge et Noir: 12 arrivals and nine departuresplus eight departures on loan.

The departures of important players, like Benjamin Bourigeaud or Martin Terrier but also of the young Désiré Doué at Paris-Saint-Germain, also weakened the Breton club.

Of change in management with the replacements of the sporting director and, a little later in the season, of the executive president, did not help the situation.

Mixed beginnings

After good preparation matches, Stade Rennais launches its season with a victory against Lyon (3-0).

Despite this encouraging first result, the Rennais will fall during the next two matches, Strasbourg and to Reimswith services more than average from the team and in particular from certain recruits.

From then on, supporters began to seriously doubt; in fact, these beginnings are reminiscent of last season, where Rennes finished at the 10th place in Ligue 1 (out of 18), which obviously does not correspond to the club's objectives.

A group that has difficulty forming

The supporters are right to be concerned. So far, the Rennais have won five wins in 15 matches in Ligue 1 and display 17 points on the meter.

Stade Rennais also experienced very difficult matches like at Auxerre (4-0 defeatNovember 3), match that was right of Julien Stéphan, the coach, replaced by Jorge Sampaoli.

A week later, during the match in Rennes against Toulouse (0-2), the players were loudly booed by the Rennes publicboth for their performances today and for their recent results.

This is undoubtedly explained by a team sans leaderand individuals who, despite their talents, struggle to make a difference.

Recent more encouraging results

With the arrival of Jorge Sampaoli, Stade Rennais is getting back on its feet and regaining confidence, notably thanks to a splendid 5-0 victory against Saint-Etienne, November 30th.

There now remains the problem of away matches for the Red and Black, who did not take just one point outside of Roazhon Park this season (against Brest, 1-1, October 19). Maybe this problem will be resolved in Bordeauxce Sunday December 22, on the occasion of 32nd round of the French Cup final?

The next matches at Stade Rennais

After Bordeaux, the winter break for two weeks, then Rennes will receive Marseille, Sunday January 12, and will move to Monaco, Sunday January 26.

Two big clubs in Ligue 1 (Marseille is 2ᵉ and Monaco 3rd in Ligue 1) on the program for the start of the year for the Rennais, who will have to show more than what they have shown in recent months.

Yanéo Hervé-Canto

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