INTERVIEW
The Ligue 1 stadiums have not resonated lately. And for good reason, the Professional Football League (LFP) acted, Friday, March 13, the suspension "until further notice" of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 games to stem the epidemic of coronavirus. Julien Stéphan, the manager of a Stade Rennais resplendent this season (third in Ligue 1 after 28 days), was on Europe 1 Saturday to explain how the club is adapting to this unprecedented moment.
"It's a very special time"
"It's a very special period," said the Breton coach first. Since last Friday, March 13, he has not seen his players. Everyone is confined to their home with, for the staff of Stade Rennais, the instruction not to leave French territory. "The order is respected," says Julien Stéphan. Several players left for the Paris region, others returned to their region of origin "but half of the players remained in the Rennes region".
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And even if Julien Stéphan and his staff no longer see their players, they regularly take their news to know "how they are, them and their loved ones". Sportingly, however, it is a little more complex. The club had expected a resumption of training Monday, March 23 "but it will not be possible".
Initially, the Rennais, authors of an exceptional season, followed a recovery program. "They were recovering because we played a lot in January, February and March," explains the coach of the Rouge et Noir. Given the vagueness that remains around the date for the resumption of the championship, "we will update the program and, moreover, the players are asking for a more detailed program".
Players "have morale"
In the coming days, Eduardo Camavinga, Steven Nzonzi, Benjamin Bourigeaud and their game partners will therefore see the number of sessions increase. "We will also increase the workload," warns Julien Stéphan.
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Third in the standings before the unexpected break in the championship, the Rennais intend to continue their momentum on the recovery ... if there is recovery. Despite the uncertainty, Julien Stéphan hopes "that there will be no consequence on our level of play". In any case, for the moment, his players "have morale, they put things in perspective". "Even if it is not easy to be deprived of your profession when it is also a passion."