Despite a workforce scattered across several continents, Jorge Sampaoli was able to establish an initial inventory during his first 15 days at La Piverdière. If he recognized that he would, with his management, take stock of his group and its needs after “four or five matches”, the Argentinian has already taken a close look at the squad.
Friday, without obviously giving it, he affirmed to the media that he already had his starting lineup in mind, without indicating either what system he would favor… “This information is difficult to give, not for you the media, but for Lille (smile). For me, the most important thing is to instill a culture in the players, it doesn't matter whether we play with five or four at the back, in 5-4-1, in 4-4-2, and, over time, we will try to develop more ideas,” announced the Argentinian technician, making the effort to speak French as much as possible.
“Need for control to avoid suffering”
“My team will especially need control, to avoid being subject to counter-attacks. We worked on that this week,” he added, showing that he has well analyzed Rennes’ current flaws. To prepare for the trip against Lille, by Bruno Genesio, this Sunday, November 24, 2024 (3 p.m.), who returns to Rennes for the first time since his departure in November 2023, Sampaoli assures that he has “made changes, so that this team does not Don’t be afraid.”
A vast project, for a team which has already lost six times in eleven days. “He is always dynamic, it brings energy. The character is the one we know. We worked to fully understand what he expects of us. It talks a lot more, with the new staff, with a lot of pauses, a lot of explanations. The new staff must allow us to fill in what we are missing,” explains Ludovic Blas, witness to this internal (r)evolution. First elements of response in Lille.
The likely teams
Referee: M. Vernice
LILLE : Chevalier – Bakker, Diakite, Ribeiro, Mandi – Andre (c.), Mukau – Zhegrova, Bouaddi, Fernandez-Pardo – David. Coach : B. Genesio.
RENNAIS STADIUM: Mandanda (cap.) – Seidu, Ostigard, Faye – Hateboer, Matusiwa, Gronbaek, Blas – Gouiri, Kalimuendo, Jota. Enter. : J. Sampaoli.
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