Saint-Etienne Vs Stade Rennais – Ligue 1 Preview
The battle for playing in UEFA Europa League next season will heat up when Saint-Etienne host Stade Rennais on May 15, 2011, at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
Rennes have been out of sorts of late and the encounter against Saint-Etienne would be crucial for Rennes’ chances of playing in Europe next season. Stade Rennais have become one of the most fragile teams in Ligue 1 this season. After a nine-game winless
streak, they have slipped from being title contenders to a club that is struggling to feature in Europe next season. However, with three games left in the season, and a five-point lead over the likes of Lorient and Saint-Etienne, Rennes still have a great
chance of sealing themselves a European berth, which would be an important and historic achievement for the club.
Defeat at the hands of Saint-Etienne would see their lead reduce to just two points, which would surely give Coach Frederic Antonetti a lot of headaches. The Rennes coach admits that his side needs a good result after losing 1-0 to Montpellier on March 5.
Their destiny is still in their hands as a win at Saint-Etienne would almost secure Rennes’ position in the top five of the standings.
While talking to the media, Antonetti said, "I would regard an away draw as a good result given the current situation because we would get a point and there would be one less game for our rival to catch us. It would be better than nothing.''
Saint-Etienne are heading into this game after suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to league leaders, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Captain-c8314 Loic Perrin
thinks that his side can do well in the last three games in order to play in Europe next season.
While talking to the media, the Frenchman said that the game against Rennes was very important and his side needs to get all three points against the struggling side. "That would make them a direct competitor for Europe. If we show the same characteristics
we showed against Lille, the same desire to win, we can be successful,” the midfielder added.
Team News
Saint-Etienne
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Blaise-Matuidi-c7681 missed the 2-1 defeat against LOSC Lille due to suspension but the France International is set to make a return for the crucial encounter.
Stade Rennais
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexander-Tettey-c4871 is out for the match after he injured his quad muscle in the 1-1 draw against Caen.
Player Watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dimitri-Payet-c11276 (Saint-Etienne)
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 International has been in fine form this term and has scored 13 goals so far this season. The Frenchman is already attracting interest from a host of French and other European clubs. A strong performance against Stade Rennes might go a long way
in assuring Les Verts a place in Europe next season.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hugo-c16384 Montano (Rennes)
The Colombian International has made a strong impression at Stade Rennais since joining the club from Montpellier last summer. The South American has scored seven goals this season but has been off-colour in the recent weeks. His form will play a vital role
in helping Rennes secure a Europa League berth by the end of the current Ligue 1 campaign.
Predicted Final score
Saint-Etienne 1-1 Stade Rennais
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