Eduardo Camavinga and his partners are playing a decisive match this Saturday in the race for Europe on the Metz pitch.

-

DAMIEN MEYER / AFP

  • Stade Rennais is moving this Saturday afternoon (1 p.m.) to the Metz pitch.

    A decisive match in the race for Europe between Messins, 7th, and Bretons 8th with one point less.

  • Questioned by

    20 Minutes

    , Breton supporters still believe in the chances of their team which is aiming for a fourth European qualification in a row.

  • However, the entire Rouge et Noir community does not share this opinion, believing that Stade Rennais has fallen too far behind OM and Lens, 5th and 6th with four points ahead, to be able to win Europe.

Despite its failed Champions League campaign this year, Stade Rennais got a taste for Europe with three consecutive qualifiers.

Will there be a fourth?

Nine days before the end of Ligue 1, it is still too early to say.

As the final sprint approaches, the fight promises to be fierce to clinch 5th place, synonymous with the Europa League, and potentially 6th if the winner of the Coupe de France is already qualified for Europe.

Eighth with four points behind OM, Stade Rennais relaunched the race after their victory against Strasbourg on Sunday.

This Saturday afternoon (1 p.m.), a new test is looming for the Rouge et Noir who travel to Metz, 7th in the standings.

Before this decisive match,

20 Minutes

surveyed Rennes supporters to find out if they still believed in Europe.

And the answer is yes if we believe two thirds of the 60 contributions received by the editorial staff.

Genesio's contribution is already being felt

This optimism is largely due to the arrival of the new coach Bruno Genesio on the Rennes bench.

"We now have an experienced coach who has already managed to unite his players and create confidence around him," said Pascal.

Pablo takes for example the tactical choices made by the coach on Sunday where "he gave playing time to other players like Flavien Tait".

The qualification passes in any case by a victory in Metz.

"Because if there is a defeat or a draw, I think it will be complicated knowing that we will still have PSG and Monaco to face," said Serge.

Two "big" to play therefore "but the other remaining teams are within our reach," said Gaëtan.

Not to mention that "Metz and Lens will tire at the end of the season", according to Florian, and that "Stade Rennais has often accustomed us to the end of seasons in a cannonball", adds Sébastien.

Supporters expect more from executives

If they remain optimistic, Rennes fans believe, however, that the Breton club will have to show a completely different face from the one glimpsed since the start of the year if it wants to dream of Europe.

“We will need more realism in front and less play behind during the counter-attacks,” said Didier.

“Mentally, we have the impression of seeing Stade Rennais from a few seasons ago, namely inconstant and sometimes without envy,” added Jerem, who however still believes in his team's chances.

“It will depend on the executives, finally believes Axel.

Bourigeaud seemed to regain his voice after his goal, Grenier must also continue to assume his role.

But above all we must put Nzonzi in front of his responsibilities and urgently.

"

Marseille and Lens will be hard to find

In the Rouge et Noir community, not everyone shares this optimism.

For a long time in the top 5, Stade Rennais has indeed burned a lot of cartridges "with too many points lost stupidly", according to Albert.

Others like Paulo point to the weakness of the offensive sector.

"When you don't score a goal, you can't be in the top 5. You need scorers, but there aren't any," he pleaded.

Jean-Luc also criticizes “the lack of links, regularity, envy and risky defensive placements”.

In this race for Europe, some finally believe that direct competitors will be difficult to find.

"Rennes is four points from Marseille which is changing its face in a positive way and from Lens which is a solid team tactically and which takes points against the leaders", underlines Antoine, who does not believe in the magical powers of the new coach.

“The arrival of Genesio will allow us to rebuild and not to find their level of play before,” he says.

The reconstruction will take time and, the time for the race for Europe, we do not have it ”.

Sport

UEFA wants spectators in the stadiums this summer for the Euro

Sport

How do PSG and other clubs fight against the scourge of burglaries?

  • Bruno Genesio

  • European Cup

  • Support

  • Reindeer

  • Rennais Stadium

  • League 1

  • Soccer