Stade Rennais is definitely as flamboyant as it is incorrigible in the Europa League. While they should be quietly celebrating their (almost) direct qualification for the round of 16, this Friday morning, the Bretons find themselves forced to achieve a better result than Fenerbahçe (currently 1st in goal average ), next Thursday during the last European pool party, in order to avoid a perilous barrage. On September 15, Bruno Genesio’s players had spoiled a two-goal advantage against Fener in the last half hour (from 2-0 to 2-2), with the added bonus of a cruel penalty conceded in added time.
They did “stronger” again on Thursday in Turkey, this time squandering a three-goal lead acquired in the 30th minute of play (0-3), after an attacking fireworks display led by Amine Gouiri (5th and 30th) and Martin Terrier (16th). A true masterpiece from Lovro Majer (10th) was even refused during this first period for an offside of nothing from Martin Terrier. That is to say if Stade Rennais had the game totally in hand. But then again: Valencia with a header (1-3, 42nd), then last ten nightmarish minutes, marked by goals from Miha Zajc (2-3, 82nd) and Emre Mor (3-3, 88th), have recorded this new scuttling in the Europa League. With what is more a problematic groin injury for Steve Mandanda, replaced in the 52nd minute of play.
“It’s professional misconduct”
Enough to guarantee us a good hot interview, on the sidelines, of a very frustrated Breton player. Benjamin Bourigeaud is the lucky one, at the microphone of RMC Sport, and he perfectly endorsed the costume: “We made a perfect start. At the end of the match, we have to manage better than that by closing the shop. It is professional misconduct not to have won. We’re fools… We’re not allowed to: we touch the ball too much, we try to dribble when we shouldn’t take any risks at the end of the match”.
In Benjamin Bourigeaud’s sights, we obviously find Ghanaian winger Kamaldeen Sulemana, who came into play in the 83rd minute and author of a high-risk dribble missed at the origin of the Turkish equalizer. But Bruno Genesio made the choice to take on this European disillusion for him Thursday evening: “I’m the team coach. I make the decisions. So if there is a fool, the first is me”. It must have been nice, that night flight back to Brittany, say so.