Football Season Guide

Rennes bounced back after a miserable autumn to finish third in Ligue 1, ensuring Champions League qualification for the first time in the history of the club. Head coach Julien Stephan came under scrutiny last term during their difficult periods but the confidence the board – and the fans – had in him was justified as they went on a superb run from October, during which they won 12 of their last 17 Ligue 1 matches. The challenge this season will be replicating that form, particularly as it was during the heart of their European campaign that they struggled most. Nevertheless, lessons will have been learned from that. Although the squad is currently smaller in numbers than it was last season, it is stronger in terms of the quality. No significant first-team players were allowed to leave over the summer, with the exception of veteran defender Jeremy Morel and centre-back Joris Gnagnon, who failed to live up to expectations as he returned from Sevilla on loan. Instead, Nayef Aguerd has been added from Dijon to bolster the defence, while Martin Terrier, who was surprisingly under-utilised at Lyon last season, has arrived to add more threat to the team going forward. Meanwhile, they have a talented youth system to call upon, with Georginio Rutter earmarked as one of this season’s breakthrough stars. He is unlikely to get much game time behind Mbaye Niang or Adrien Hunou, both very capable forwards. There is plenty of quality to supply them, with Benjamin Bourigeaud again strong and Raphinha an excellent addition last season. More could come from Flavien Tait and Clement Grenier, while Jonas Martin spent much of last term injured but is another very capable player. With Steven N’Zonzi staying another year, his chances of playing are slim given that Eduard Camavinga has already established himself as a top performer. In defence, meanwhile, Rennes are also solid, though this is the area where they may have most difficulty in the Champions League. Goalkeeper Abdoulaye Diallo is coming off the best season of his career.