Stade Rennais vs. AS Nancy – French Ligue 1 preview
Nancy midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AS-Nancy-c38468 travel to Rennes to face Stade Rennais at Stade de la Route-de-Lorient on May 21, 2011.
In the first of the last two games, Nancy will face Stade Rennais, who are in fifth place in the Ligue 1 standings with 56 points from 36 games. The Thistles, then, will host Lens in the final game of the season.
On the other hand, Rennes have already been guaranteed UEFA Europa League football for next season but still have a chance to take fourth place. Rennes are only two points shy of PSG, who are on fourth place. Midfielder Jonathan Brison knows that Nancy should
respect Stade Rennais, who have done really well this season. While talking to the media, the Nancy man said that the players should maintain the pressure as survival is not guaranteed.
"We must treat Rennes like we did PSG, we are going to a top-five team and playing on their pitch, but we have the ambition to return from Rennes with at least one point,'' said the midfielder.
Nancy are currently in 17th place in the Ligue 1 standings with 42 points, just a point ahead of AS Monaco who are in 18th place. Five other clubs: Caen, Valenciennes, Nice, Toulouse and Brest, are also close to the relegation zone
which means that the relegation battle would definitely go down to the wire. Brison is expecting a lot more twists in the relegation dogfight and said:
“There are a lot of teams involved, because those on 43 and 44 points are still in danger. That is why we need at least four points from these final two matches.''
Rennes are still in with a chance of qualifying for UEFA Champions League. Currently, they are four points behind Olympique de Lyonnais who occupy the last berth for Champions League football. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fabien-Lemoine-c13141 knows that qualifying for Champions League might
be too difficult for his side and has said that his side should target securing their current place at fifth.
The midfielder admitted that his side would be satisfied with European football, whether it is Champions League or Europa league, and said that their current position should not be compromised.
"It takes off the pressure. We have two games left, and we want at worst to keep hold of fifth,” Lemoine said before adding that his side should give their best in the last two games of the season.
Team News
AS Nancy
Goalkeeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jordan-c2929 Loties is suspended for the away game.
Stade Rennais
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sylvain-Marveaux-c34432 will miss the game against Nancy.
Predicted final score
Stade Rennais 1-1 AS Nancy
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