• Appointed coach two months ago, Bruno Génésio gleaned 16 points in eight games, before challenging PSG.

  • The former coach of Olympique Lyonnais has given more verticality to the game of the Bretons, which has been purring for a few weeks.

  • Génésio also revived some players like Flavien Tait and put Jérémy Doku and Martin Terrier in confidence.

In the ranks of Stade Rennais supporters, no one will forget Julien Stéphan. The man of only one club, propelled onto the pro bench one evening in December 2018. Regulars will never forget the Coupe de France, the epics in Seville and Arsenal or the historic qualification in the Champions League. In full doubt, the coach ended up leaving the couple in early March, leaving many supporters without their spiritual father. Many have been slow to adopt the new companion of their team. After two months spent on the Rennes bench, Bruno Génésio nevertheless seems to have been adopted by his new family.

Without revolutionizing the game of the Red and Black, the former OL brought his hand to revive a team in full doubt, shaken by the sudden departure of Julien Stéphan.

The defeat in Bordeaux should not erase the work of the technician.

In a few weeks, he will have succeeded in making the team sexy.

To be confirmed on Sunday with the reception in Paris.

The positive attitude that was missing?

He arrived calm, serene, paying homage to his predecessor. After a hitch for his first in Marseille, Bruno Génésio seemed to restore confidence to a group that was sorely lacking. "I first want to provide a psychological trigger because this team has potential but sometimes plays a little with the handbrake," he announced on his arrival. In eight games, the former OL technician took sixteen points, an average of two points. A first record weighed down by the unexpected defeat in Bordeaux that it would be good to erase Sunday against Paris (9 p.m. at Roazhon Park). “I find that he exudes a lot of serenity, tranquility. His experience has undoubtedly allowed him to arrive with a positive attitude. You can feel it in his speeches, ”said Vincent Collerais, loyal supporter and co-founder of the podcast.

The red and black chat

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Friends supporters of the #SRFC ... After two months on the bench of @staderennais how do you judge the beginnings of Bruno Génésio in red and black?

- 20 Minutes Rennes (@ 20minutesrennes) May 6, 2021

Bruno Génésio left this impression of detachment wherever he went.

Starting with Olympique Lyonnais, where he rose through the ranks to impose himself as number 1 from 2015 to 2019. “He's a very approachable, easy-going person.

He often surprised me by his tranquility.

In Lyon, he had very difficult times but he showed nothing, remembers Armand Garrido, former OL youth coach.

It is as if he has a shell.

He suffered a lot from it but he never showed it.

He was working and that's it ”.

A more pleasant vertical game

On his arrival in Rennes, the former coach of the Chinese club Beijing Guoan had promised not to revolutionize everything. And he kept his word. If he retained the love of possession of the ball dictated by Julien Stéphan, Génésio invited his players to take "more risks". As the weeks went by, we saw a more vertical and direct game establish itself, allowing Rennes to score in the game, which they were unable to do in February.

"It's as if our game was too predictable", analyzes Vincent Collerais.

The rise of Jérémy Doku, more and more decisive, and the technical contribution of Martin Terrier (5 goals and 3 assists) seemed to energize the Rennes offensives, allowing eight goals to be planted in two matches against Angers and Dijon. .

“I hate that term but we clearly had sterile possession.

Sometimes we didn't frame anything, ”explains Romain Quinquis, vice-president of Radio Roazhon.

This lover of Julien Stéphan does not hide his taste for the more direct game offered by "Pep Génésio".

"The players seem more liberated, they try more, even if it means failing," explains the 20-year-old supporter, taking the example of Terrier's love of coiled strike against Nantes.

The revival of wandering players

Without frankly dismissing anyone, Bruno Génésio has all the same established some strong choices to revive a team lacking ideas. Serhou Guirassy starting on the bench to favor Martin Terrier, the former OL coach has chosen to return to a rather pleasant system, leaving the keys to the truck to Flavien Tait. In the closet, the former Angevin had not managed to convince since his arrival in 2019. For a few weeks, he has been living again. “I feel good because I took more playing time, it brings rhythm and confidence. I feel more useful in the axis because I start from further away and I manage to create spaces for myself, ”he declared before the meeting in Angers. "He has this ability to take spaces but also to open them up for others", underlines the Breton coach. “He was put aside. It's like a renewal for him ”,considers Vincent Collerais.

The management of the locker room also seems to satisfy the players.

“Bruno is someone open but he is also whole, frank.

He was often respected for that, including by the stars.

He does not impose any but he has a pedagogy that works ”, considers Armand Garrido.

While some have seen their playing time reduced, others have been able to take advantage of bargains.

Dalbert came to replace an injured Truffert and youngsters like Matthis Abline and Lesley Ugochukwu took the opportunity to play their first minutes in the pros.

Sunday, the Bretons will try to take points against the Parisian ogre, with the slim hope of catching Europe. 

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Without Nzonzi, nor Camavinga and Mbappé on Sunday

The poster for this 36th day of Ligue 1 will feature its biggest stars, from one side to the other.

Rennes will be deprived of Steven Nzonzi and Eduardo Camavinga, both suspended.

Clément Grenier and Benjamin Bourigeaud could replace them.

For its part, Paris will want revenge for the double defeat against Manchester City but will play without Kylian Mbappé, also suspended.

Note that the meeting will be refereed by Ruddy Buquet, who officiated during the victory of the Bretons in the final of the Coupe de France in 2019. A sign?

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