Matchday: Lens-Rennes (Stade Félix Bollaert)

By: Xavier | August 28th, 2009

A tough test awaits the blood and gold tomorrow as undefeated Rennes comes to town. The boys from Brittany lie ninth in the current standings and boast a very athletic and physical side coached by master motivator Frédéric Antonetti.

After opening the campaign with a resounding 3-0 victory over promoted Boulogne-sur-Mer, Antonetti’s men have only managed two points against both Nice and Marseille.

“I am very disappointed by the results but I am very satisfied with the overall play. It has let the team become aware that it can do some good things against tough opposition. We deserved better in the last two matches. Things need to flow a bit better and on set-pieces we need to be more definitive in front of goal. In the game against OM we did not create much. Right now, we just need to pick up points.” said the Rennes coach.

Lens on the other hand have impressed on their return to the top flight, winning two of their opening three games. Indeed, if the officials had been more competent at Bordeaux they may have also been undefeated at this point. Nevertheless, the Lensois lie in sixth place in the table and are looking to add reinforcements before the close of the transfer market.

“The game against Rennes will not be subtle, Brazilian Eduardo told the club’s official website. It is true that the Rennes players are big, athletic men. We must play to our strengths and get the ball down as soon as possible. We must not forget, though, that you have to also play without the ball.”

Tomorrow’s fixture will see Rennes defender Kader Mangane return to the Stade Felix Bollaert and the Senegalese International has fond memories of his time at Lens. “It is a family club with one of the most passionate followings in France, the supporters encourage their team constantly, he said. “The city breathes football, people absolutely adore their team. I am pleased to see Lens have made a good start to the season.”

On another note, the transfer deal for Aruna Dindane has concluded in the form of a transfer with an option to buy for Portsmouth. After initial reports of a three year 4.5 million Euro deal the parties settled on a modified transfer instead. Lens President Gervais Martel will now turn his attention to negotiations with France International midfielder Camel Meriem as well as versatile defender Wilfried Dalmat of Standard Liege.

le groupe Lensois: Atrous, Runje ; Chelle, El Adoua, Hermach, Laurenti, Ramos, Yahia ; Demont, Jemaa, Kovacevic, Milovanovic, Sow ; Boukari, Eduardo, Joseph-Monrose, Maoulida, Monnet-Paquet.

le groupe Rennais: Nicolas Douchez, Cheick Ndiaye – Lucien Aubey, Petter Hansson, Kader Mangane, Carlos Bocanegra, Rod Fanni – Romain Danzé, Fabien Lemoine, Jérôme Leroy, Yann M’Vila, Tongo Doumbia, Sylvain Marveaux, Junichi Inamoto – Moussa Sow, Jires Kembo-Ekoko, Asamoah Gyan, Ismaël Bangoura.

Viewing Options: The match will be broadcast on Setanta Sports at 13:00 GMT. Setanta Sports is available through satellite subscriptions with Direct TV and Dish Network.

Live Stream:
http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=47081&part=sports