Before Jota’s equalizer (1-1, 86′), Stade Rennais had confirmed its inability to be creative in its tasteless 3-4-3. A recurrence since the second day, in fact. Unable to be ambitious, this Stade Rennais needed the entry of four recruits and a change to 4-2-3-1, with Gronbaek as a quick playmaker in his executions, and wingers Jota and Andres Gomez, to that the laborer becomes a little conqueror.
“Real connection between players”
“When we went to four, it helped us,” admitted Alidu Seidu. “We were able to play free towards the end, but we have to be able to be like that from the start. We have quality, with a lot of players capable of making the difference. We have nothing to lose. I really liked this last quarter of an hour, because we felt a real connection between players. We have to rely on that,” said Arnaud Kalimuendo, passer for Jota.
This eleven from Rennes, with Kamara associated with Blas in recovery, was able to prove dangerous and… effective. This happy ending, allowing this group to get its first away point of the season, after three defeats, sounds the death knell for the three-defender system? “To analyze properly, I remember everything from the match,” replied Julien Stéphan. Particularly the significant difficulties we had during an hour of play. With only one quality collective movement in the first half and that’s not enough… In the last half hour, we had to change things. We were able to weigh on the last opposing line, have more control, more combined movements in the last 30 meters… The positive bridge is the mentality, the state of mind, the will to hang on, but we will have discussions, reflection to carry out. » At the head of the (provisional) 12th in Ligue 1, Julien Stephan hopes for “something to click” with this draw. Facing Le Havre, we will have to renew this energy of despair to breathe a little easier.
