An early Breton derby awaits for Brest and Rennes, who kick-off Saturday's action of Ligue 1 Uber Eats action following the conclusion of Nantes Marseille on Friday evening.
Kick-off: Saturday, 17:00
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Stade Brestois will be hoping to bounce back from defeat to Marseille last weekend at the Vélodrome to continue what has been a promising vein of early-season form in Ligue 1 Uber Eats. Eric Roy’s side were surprise winners in their first match of the season against Lens (3-2) before following up with a win in an away trip against newly promoted Le Havre (1-2).
“We’ve got to learn from this kind of match,” said Roy following the defeat at Marseille, “we didn’t panic, we kept playing, but the big regret was not converting all those situations and chances, but we lacked technical precision.”
“To win matches, you have to be a killer in both areas. We weren’t. I don’t really like playing well and not bringing anything back.”
Mistakes costing Rennes early on
Rennes began their season with a thumping 5-1 win over Metz in their season opener, before picking up a hard-fought point against RC Lens away from home. However, last week’s slip up against Le Havre (2-2) was concerning for manager Bruno Genesio, notably for some errors committed at the back.
“What bothers me most is that it didn't start with the Le Havre game," said Bruno Genesio. We need to learn more quickly from our past mistakes if we want to turn the corner. (...) But I watch a lot of games, and I also see that great teams make mistakes.”
“Over the first three games, we've created the most chances and conceded the fewest. What bothers me is that we're conceding too many goals for the number of chances we're conceding, but that means that at some point we're bound to reverse that trend.”
Over the 14 last meetings between the two sides it has been the Rouge et Noir who have dominated the head to head record. Stade Rennais have won eight matches compared to Brest’s only victory - with Rennes winning four out of their last five meetings.
The only injury concern for Les Pirates will be Mathias Periera Lage, with Roy stating that he would be out “until at least against Stade de Reims (September 17th) but we don’t know.” Other than that, the home side will be “fully operational”. In better news for Brest, Adrien Lebeau returns to the matchday squad.
Meanwhile for Rennes, there are no injury concerns apart from, of course, the long-term absence of Martin Terrier, However, there may be a question mark over whether Arthur Theate starts the match after having been denied a move late in the transfer window. Nemanja Matic could likely start in midfield for Bruno Genesio’s side.
Possible teams
Brest: Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Brassier, Locko; Magnetti, Lees-Melou, Camara; Del Castillo, Satriano; Le Douaron
Rennes: Mandanda; Truffert, Theate, Omari, Assignon; Matic, Le Fée, Bourigeaud; Gouiri, Kalimuendo, Blas
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