Stade Rennes – Saint-Etienne / Sampaoli: “Some players do not live up to my analysis, I want players capable of rebelling”
Before the Saint-Etienne reception, Jorge Sampaoli was at a press conference this Thursday.
New training week: We had ideas before we arrived, and they were related to what we saw on video. Now we have a complete vision of the group, individual and collective. I hope to achieve an offensive and defensive functioning of our vision of the game.
Offensive problem: We also conceded a lot of goals. What is important is that we become solid offensively and defensively. According to the diagnosis we are making, we must change the state of mind on both surfaces. In Lille, we had a good defensive match, but offensively it was not convincing. But it makes sense, change takes time. This must be approached with great calm.
Changes against Saint-Etienne: In attack, we especially want to work on form. This can involve the choice of players, but also their profiles. Our block must create more chances. In Lille we looked for the best solution, but the important thing is to balance the team and that it is emotionally stable and that collective performance is better. In Lille, the goal in the 45th minute affected us.
Blas : You may have misunderstood me. I believe that Blas is an exterior that enters the interior on the wrong foot. I've always seen him play like that, and he's also very interesting thanks to his left shot. He is not a winger with depth or speed, but one who creates striking situations. The situation of each player is currently being reassessed. We do an analysis, and I make choices.
Players ready to maintain, mentally: Rennes was not used to this position. We will face teams who are used to it and know how to play this type of match. We must face this with responsibility and aggressiveness, working in continuity. It's a psychological struggle. We are going to play against Saint-Etienne who knows how to play this kind of match.
Is Rennes playing its part? The next matches will tell. It's true that the state of form is currently quite fragile. Given this situation, I want to favor aggressive players, who have a lot of energy. Whereas I might not have made these choices in another context. It takes a lot of energy to save the club, for the good of Stade Rennes.
Change in his starting lineup: It depends. In Lille, we think we have done positive things, and things to correct inside too, against an opponent in great form. For me, we were equal. It could have ended 0-0 or 0-1. We suffered less compared to previous matches. Before, the team exposed itself much more. We now need to find a better offensive face, like my previous teams.
Playing with a false 9: Gouiri can be that player. Payet got used to it quickly. But that's because he quickly understood the use of spaces. If we do that, he gives us wingers playing very deep. Then, it depends on the context: the other players must know how to adapt to him. This false 9 depends on collective functioning, and that is the hardest part in football.
Too much control? : They are two different things in my opinion. If we don't control well defensively, we won't do well offensively. Take Manchester City. They are very balanced, and even if they attack, there are 5 players dedicated to preventing the opponent's transitions. If against Saint-Etienne we are disorderly, we will lose. The priority is to organize this team. We will get through this together. Then, we can get out of it in an anarchic way, but we need players who make the difference, win matches on their own. And in Rennes I don't see any. Our organization must disorganize the rival.
Offensive leader? Gouri? : I hope Gouiri can be that player. But today it is not. One day, it could be Gouiri. No doubt for multiple factors that I have not yet identified. With Marseille, I suffered enormously here. Rennes was fast with and without the ball. Rennes has lost that. For there to be leadership, I have to find these players who are unbalancing.
Satisfied with the dynamism of the team: According to my analysis made before arriving, I have players with great abilities, but some have not yet shown. Some players do not measure up to my analysis. It may have to do with the context, the psychological situation. What I want are players capable of rebelling, giving absolutely everything against Saint-Etienne. I want the image of the club to change, to generate something among the public, some emotion.
Gomez right piston: He's a player I know from South America. I like his abilities, he can give us speed, depth, as a piston, but he can also be associated with another player. He can also play in the center, with a 9 for example. He has possibilities. Today we favor players who will give everything. We are not going to negotiate this. You need players capable of rebelling. We are all involved in a difficult process, to which Stade Rennes is not accustomed. We want to quickly get out of this situation.
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