For its first participation in the Champions League on Tuesday 20 October, Stade Rennes inherited from another novice, Krasnodar.

Even if this Russian opponent is not as scary as the big names in Europe, the Breton club will certainly be apprehensive when hearing the hymn of the prestigious competition resound for the first time at Roazhon Park.

"Yes, I imagine music can give you chills when you hear it on the pitch. After that, if you listen to the music and lose the game behind, it will be a bad memory, so you have to focus on the match ", however underlined the Rennes captain, Damien Da Silva, in a press conference on the eve of the meeting.

Supporters of Stade Rennais, can you already hear this little music in this Roazhon Park in gala dress?

👀👂🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/ZxJCeLoiPg

- Benjamin Idrac (@ bidrac15) October 19, 2020

5,000 authorized supporters

For this baptism of fire, the Bretons can count on their supporters.

While health restrictions are increasing due to Covid-19, the gauge has been increased to 5,000 spectators.

"With 1,000 people in the compound, everything is very cozy, we don't hear much. There is a real difference. We have already seen it against Monaco, these 4,000 more people carry the team. and make the difference ", thus welcomed the coach, Julien Stéphan, while PSG will face Manchester United at the same time at the Parc des Princes behind closed doors.

After less than two years at the head of a professional team and at just 40 years old, the Rennes coach will discover the Champions League.

Even if he wants to be realistic, he does not intend to make up the figures.

"The objective is simple, it is to gain experience. We are in the last UEFA coefficients of the draw, so all the teams imagine taking six points against us. It's up to us to try to steal as many as possible, to play with a lot of bravery, to give everything, not to regret anything, and we will see where that will lead us. Certainties, we do not have any, but confidence, yes, because beyond the results, we have had very interesting match content, it's really encouraging, "he said after the draw which saw Rennes inherit Krasnodar, Sevilla FC and Chelsea in their group.

The City of #Rennes is showing its support for @staderennais!

Go #RougeEtNoir!

All with you tomorrow night for the big day ⚽️🔴⚫️ #ToutDonner #UCL #SRFC #SRFCKRA pic.twitter.com/hP9YWJny95

- metropolerennes (@metropolerennes) October 19, 2020

"Raise the cursor"

But Rennes training has slowed down in recent encounters.

Brilliant against teams in form during its first matches of the season, it remains on two very disappointing draws against Reims (2-2) and Dijon (1-1), current 19th and 20th in Ligue 1. Certainly, Julien Stéphan has had to do without its captain Damien Da Silva and his metronome, Steven Nzonzi, both suspended in Dijon.

He also spared Eduardo Camavinga, the young nugget of the team, just back from selection after his first goal in Blue.

And if Serhou Guirassy was clumsy in attack, Martin Terrier finally scored his first goal in red and black.

Enough to keep Rennes, undefeated since the start of the season, on the Ligue 1 podium.

But that may not be enough: "We will have to remedy this and raise the cursor to make full matches, because the road will rise considerably in the days and weeks to come. We will not be able to be satisfied with making half-matches, "warned Julien Stéphan Friday night after the draw against Dijon.

Faced with Krasnodar - an opponent a priori less formidable than Sevilla FC or Chelsea - and at home, Rennes in any case has a chance to succeed in entering the Champions League.

But for Julien Stéphan, it will still be necessary to be wary of the Russians.

"Krasnodar has players who have experience, internationals with a habit of the European Cup and international matches. They are a modern team, complicated to play and which must be respected," he explained. at a press conference.

Julien #Stephan “#Krasnodar has players who have experience, internationals with habit of the European Cup and international matches.

It's a modern team, complicated to play and which must be respected ”#SRFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/RrqGI2SbVb

- Aymeric Vigier (@VigierAymeric) October 19, 2020

Currently 7th in the Russian championship, Krasnodar has indeed eliminated PAOK Salonika in the play-offs, and if this young club founded in 2008 by the Russian billionaire Sergei Galitsky is also starting in the Champions League, it has already arrived twice in the round of 16 of Europa League (2017 and 2019), while Rennes has only reached this stage once.

With AFP

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