Marseille-Rennes preview: Rejuvenated Rennes seeking to infl

Kick-off: Sunday, 20:45

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It has been a turbulent season thus far at Marseille. Gattuso looked to have brought an element of stability and when they beat Le Havre on 8th October, it looked like normal service resumed. However, it was a false dawn. They have since lost two and drawn two and Gattuso’s reticence to criticising his own players is being tested. 

Despite recent results, which are not in line with the ambitions and objectives of the club, the players have been infallible and beyond reproach in the eyes of Gattuso. That changed after last weekend’s draw against Strasbourg, during which they were second best for long periods. 

Gattuso’s honeymoon period over

“I don’t know how we can play like that. I am very angry with the second-half. It’s a disaster. I take responsibility, but I don’t know how we can play like that. Wearing this team’s shirt is an important responsibility. Look at how we played in the second-half. I asked the players how that happened. I want explanations. I’m expecting a response. The team was rubbish,” riled Gattuso in the post-match press conference. 

Fitness has been an issue as the squad has transitioned from Marcelino’s style of play towards Gattuso’s more intense, all-action pressing game, but that mitigation has an expiry date that has arguably already passed. 

Gattuso’s honeymoon period, if there ever truly was one, is also over and the time for tangible improvements is nigh. The same cannot be said of Julien Stéphan. The Frenchman marked his return to Roazhon Park in style, swatting aside European-challenging Reims. 

Rennes rejuvenated

There is undeniable talent in abundance at Rennes, and whilst Bruno Genesio looked at pains to extract it this season, Stéphan wasted no time in allowing that individual talent to shine through. 

Amine Gouiri and Benjamin Bourigeaud, who lost the armband to Steve Mandanda ahead of the game against Reims, both got on the scoresheet. Both players have only shown glimpses of last season’s form so far this season, and they will need to show their true level more frequently if Rennes are to make the considerable jump up the table that is required to force themselves back into European contention.

However, thanks to Marseille’s failure to beat Strasbourg, Rennes have already leapfrogged OM and should the new manager bounce still be in effect against Gattuso’s struggling side, they will make another step back towards where they aim to be, come the end of the season. 

Possible teams

Marseille: Lopez; Lodi, Balerdi, Mbemba, Clauss; Veretout, Kondogbia; Correa, Harit, Ndiaye; Aubameyang

Rennes: Mandanda; Theate, Belocian, Wooh; Truffert, Matic, Le Fée, Bourigeaud; Terrier, Kalimuendo, Gouiri

>> Match Report: Rennes give Stéphan winning start

>> ‘The team was rubbish’ – Gattuso laments Marseille display