RENNES: The Swede Factory

By: Sam | July 29th, 2007

As the start of the season looms, it’s time for the France Offside to give you an in-depth look at each of the 20 teams vying for Hexagoal. Today, we meet Stade Rennais, the team that changes Swedish internationals like you and I do socks.

The team: Hey, hey, whadda you say: This summer marked the arrival of another Sweden ambassador, Karl Hansson, from Heerenveen. With him came Rod Fanni from Rennes and Jérôme Leroy from Sochaux, as well as Mickael Pagis from Marseille, a very decent crop. Sad thing is they also lost a decent crop, especially three of their best defenders, who are Jacques Faty (Marseille), Gregory Bourillon (PSG) and the standout surprise Mario Melchiot (Wigan). The exodus to the Prem also includes John Utaka, who fled to Portsmouth.

As many Ligue 1 clubs do, Rennes possesses a very talented, young, and French goalkeeper in their ranks. Simon Pouplin, whose first cap shouldn’t be long in the making, played every match last year and is as solid as any in the league. However, as I previously mentionned, the backline has been partially deserted this summer. There’s of course Hansson, and alongside him his compatriot Erik Edman. John Mensah, Rod Fanni and Jean-Joël Perrier Doumbé offer resources as well. Now, Rennes’ midfield is something else. Wingers Bruno Cheyrou, Olivier Thomert and Olivier Sorlin are all capable of damage. Etienne Didot, Cyril Jeunechamp and Jérôme Leroy are tactically strong as well. We can’t forget the presence of future star (mark my words) Sylvain Marveaux. Up front, they can also count on one of France’s up-and-comers: Jimmy Briand. Starting with him will probably be Pagis, with Daniel Moreira getting some time on the pitch here and there.

This isn’t a bad squad, and a guy by the name of Sylvain Wiltord may or may not be added to it, so beware.

The coach: Longtime Division 1 stalwart as a central defender, Pierre Dréossi coached Cannes in 1992. Taking a break, he finally came back and entered Lille’s system for six years, before moving to Rennes in 2002 where he became one of the most important officers within the club. On top of that, he started coaching last season. Woo! Multi-taskin’!

The stadium: Get this: Stade Rennais’ stadium is not le Stade Rennais, but rather le Stade de la Route de Lorient. How ’bout it eh? A very decent stadium in its own right, la Route can hold 31,000 but has never went that far. Pity! Rennes’ fans are, shall we say, not as passionate as elsewhere, but there’s still the element of Breizh pride.

The final say: Some are seeing them through to the Champions League. Not I. Intertoto is something to shoot for however.