Match Day Thread Tottenham Hotspur v Stade Rennais FC

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Thursday 16th September 5.45pm
Europa Conference League Group Stage
Roazhon Park​

After a disastrous return from the international break, we're back to Europe.
Thankfully we don't have too far to go, relatively speaking, as it's closer than some domestic ties.
Rennes is situated in the most Western area of France in Brittany, which it's the capital of.
We face another London derby on Sunday, this time against Chelsea, so the lineup could be interesting.
Can Espirito Santo get a result with a depleted side or will it be another poor performance?

Rennes are one of the oldest clubs in France, dating back to 1901, but they've had mixed success overall.
They're more famous for their youth academy, which has produced a number of notable players.
Eduardo Camavinga departed in the summer to Real Madrid and Ousmane Dembele is on Barca's books.
They've qualified for Europe for the past four years though, so things are looking up.
They also won their third Coupe de France in 2019 beating a star-studded PSG team.

Last season was something of a rollercoaster for them, as they started and finished it well.
The disrupted, Covid-hit campaign saw them start in the Champions League, having finished 3rd.
They did well until mid-January, despite flopping in Europe, but then hit a terrible run of form.
Manager Julien Stephan resigned as a result, as they lost four on the bounce and went seven without a win.
His replacement, Bruno Genesio, managed to steady the ship and took them from 10th to 6th.

Genesio formerly managed Lyon and finished 2nd, 4th, 3rd and 3rd again in his four seasons with them.
He also reached the semi-final of the Europa League in 16/17, where they were narrowly beaten by Ajax.
He then departed to China to manage Beijing Guoan for around 18 months, before returning to France.
He's lead the club comfortably through the qualifier to get here, but their league form hasn't been great.
They've had 2 losses, 2 draws and a solitary win, albeit against local rivals Nantes.

Here are the highlights of their victories over Rosenborg in the qualifier, for anyone that wants them:

They seem quite dangerous aerially and Jeremy Doku is supposed to be a tricky, young winger.

Romero, Lo Celso and Sanchez are in isolation in Croatia for this game, but should be back for Chelsea.
Son and Bergwijn miss out again, Dier almost certainly joins them and there's no news on Sessegnon.
Gomis and Alemdar are out for them from a Covid test and the international quarantine rules.
Gelin and Doku miss out through injury. Neither side has any suspensions.

Lineups for each side's last league game:

Spurs: Lloris; Royal, Tanganga, Dier, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Skipp, Winks; Moura, Kane, Alli.
Subs: Gollini, Doherty, Rodon, Omole, Davies, Ndombele, Markanday, Gil, Scarlett.

Rennes: Salin; Traore, Omari, Aguerd, Truffert; Bourigeaud, Santamaria, Tait; Laborde, Guirassy, Terrier.
Subs: Bonet, Assignon, Ugochukwu, Martin, Sulemana, Diouf, Tel, Abline, Tchaouna.

Ref: I'll update when it's announced.

TV: BT Sport 1.

How would you like to line up for this one?
Would you stick with much of the same lineup from the Palace game, tinker a little or change it completely?
Which system and tactics would you use and what are you expecting Rennes to go with?

 

Gollini
not Doherty, Tanganga, Rodon, Davies
Hojbjerg, not Winks
Lucas, Gil, Bergwijn
Kane

 

Not anyone who we need on Sunday.

So ...
Gollini
Doherty Tanganga Sanchez Davies
Winks
Lo celso Ndombele Gil
Scarlett Markanday

 

Not fit.

Still in isolation in Croatia.

 

Re Bergwijn

Re other two...was hoping the isolation was only relevant to UK

 

I would hope for

Gollini
Doherty Tanganga Rodon Davies
Winks John NDombele
Lucas Kane Gill

Take as strong a bench as we can, it’s not a long trip. We do bigger domestic journeys.

 

****. Hopefully this then:

Gollini
Not Doherty, Tanganga, Rodon, Davies
Ndombele, Hojbjerg, Not Winks
Lucas, Kane, Gil

 

Paskotsi time?

 

Oh great...

 

Ineligible.

 

How is that remotely legal? Can we retaliate and ban Rennes fans from London? Ludicrous.

 

PNP going on a fact checking/ correction spree here

Not fit
In Croatia
Ineligible

Next one? Quit football (for when someone says Winks… Please let that happen!)

 

Probably afraid they'd try to kidnap Pape Sarr and bring him back

Yes, I know he's on loan at Metz...

 

Why is a football team called Rennes Stadium FC?

No further questions your honour.

 

Stade is the French equivalent of being called Athletic or Sporting, I think.
General sports clubs that tend to narrow their focus over time.

 

Paul Stewart

 

"Bergwijn is better, he travelled with us, he trained yesterday and today, he is much better."
"I can tell you who didn't travel. Sonny, Dier, Sessegnon so that's it." - NES


Kane, Gil, Winks, Reguilon, Moura, Royal, Davies, Rodon, no idea, Tanganga, Austin, Alli, several youth players, Bergwijn, Doherty looking like a chavvy drug dealer.
Bergwijn trained and travelled:

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I think that was Scarlett between Rodon and Tanganga, but don't quote me on that

 

Yeah, the quality's not great, for some reason.