Despite a tribute to Benjamin Bourigeaud, Rennes got bogged down against Monaco (1-2). The supporters express their anger and the disappointing results weaken Julien Stéphan’s position.
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Saturday evening, while Stade Rennais hoped to return to success on its pitch, a completely different scenario unfolded in front of disillusioned supporters.
The evening began well with the inauguration of a fresco bearing the image of Benjamin Bourigeaud and a vibrant tribute paid by the Mordelles stand. But the smiles quickly disappeared. At half-time, the bronca from the stands was already resounding, a sign of fed up which continues to grow. The passage of the faithful Bourigeaud was only a brief lull in an increasingly electric climate.
The defeat against Monaco (1-2) hurts, very hurts. And it is Julien Stéphan who could well pay the price. In difficulty for several weeks, the Rennes coach sees his credit dwindling after this new poor performance.
Tenth in the standings with only 7 points in seven days, Rennes is getting bogged down, unable to find the key to getting out of this negative spiral. The looming international truce could be synonymous with new radical decisions after the surprise change of president among the Red and Black.
Read: Stade Rennais: a change of Executive President to “instill a new dynamic” (Franceinfo)
Monaco did not miss the opportunity to temporarily take the lead in the championship, despite solid opposition from Rennes in the second half. A goal from Thilo Kehrer in the 6th minute from a corner, then a masterpiece from Folarin Balogun in the 22nd minute, was enough for Adi Hütter’s men to take the advantage.
If Ludovic Blas equalized with a splendid strike in the 11th minute, Rennes never knew how to find the fault afterwards, despite several big chances at the end of the match. Between clumsiness and lack of precision in the last gesture, the Bretons once again showed their limits.
Read: “He always had his talent and his qualities”. In the top 10 scorers in Ligue 1, Ludovic Blas asserts himself at Stade Rennais (Franceinfo)
As if the sporting pressure was not enough, it is also behind the scenes that Rennes is faltering. The sudden change of president this Friday, with the arrival of Arnaud Pouille, former general manager of RC Lens, to replace Olivier Cloarec, took everyone by surprise. A decision which reflects the growing unease within the club.
The Pinault family seems determined to make a strategic shift to redress the situation, but at what cost? The supporters no longer hide their frustration. Dreams were set in motion with the arrival of Arnaud Pouille. Management could well find itself forced to decide quickly to calm the storm.
The defeat against Monaco could mark a turning point in the Rouge et Noir’s season. If the international truce comes at the right time to temporarily calm things down, it could also accelerate profound changes. Julien Stéphan, once adored for his run in the Europa League, now seems on a thread. The next fortnight will be crucial for the future of the coach, but also for the fragile balance of a club which has never seemed so close to implosion.
Rennes is at a crossroads, and the management, like the supporters, are waiting for a quick response on the pitch… or on the bench.
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