Already deprived of Massadio Haïdara (suspended) and Ibrahim Salah (agreement between the two clubs), Éric Roy must also do without Abdallah Sima. Already absent against Le Havre, before the break, the Senegalese, injured in the hamstring, had withdrawn from the rally with the Lions of Teranga. But the Brest coach can count on Mama Baldé and Edimilson Fernandes, who left with the selection and returned to Brest on Thursday. For the Stade Rennais reception, Roy could start Pierre Lees-Melou for the first time and opt for a diamond midfield with Kamory Doumbia at the top.
In Rennes, with Santamaria in defense?
Despite the profusion of absences due to suspension (Assignon, Boudlal) and injuries (Ostigard, Wooh), Julien Stephan, for his part, should remain faithful to his three central defenders. If Seidu and Faye are naturally designated to play two positions, the third should go to… Baptiste Santamaria. If Hateboer can help out in this trio, no one is capable of taking the lane this time… Logic therefore dictates that the ex-Angevin should take his place in central defense. Ahead, doubt remains over Gronbaek’s tenure, Stephan could prefer Gouiri. Jota still seems too close to get his first in the starting lineup.
The likely teams
BREST. Bizot – Lala, Chardonnet (cap), Coulibaly (or Le Cardinal), Amavi – Lees-Melou – Camara, Magnetti – Doumbia – Del Castillo, Ajorque. Coach: Eric Roy.
Substitutes (to choose from): Coudert, Jauny (g), Le Cardinal (or Coulibaly), Ndiaye, Zogbé, Faivre, Fernandes, Martin, Pereira Lage, Baldé, Camblan.
Absent: Haïdara (suspended), Salah (contractual agreement), Sima (hamstring).
RENNES. Mandanda (cap.) – Santamaria, Seidu, Faye – Hateboer, Matusiwa, Kamara, Truffert – Blas, Kalimuendo, Gouiri. Coach: Julien Stephan.
