Habib Beye
The squad
“Frankie is a bit unwell; he’ll be at the club this afternoon. Valentin went out for a run — we didn’t want to take any risks, and there shouldn’t be any issues for Saturday. Abdelhamid is back, I gave him a hug (smiles). He’s returning to his daily routine with a smile, which is good. It was an emotionally intense month for a young player, and we need to be mindful of that. From a physical standpoint, I have no doubts based on the tests we’ve done. I think he’s at 100%.”
Lorient, a painful defeat in the first leg
“The scenario was hard to accept and, playing 9 against 11, we performed well for a good part of the match. Lorient also showed quality in the way they scored. Above all, we want to win because we’ve just drawn at home, which created a sense of frustration. I want to see a consistent team over the full 95 minutes.”
The opponent’s momentum
“Lorient have evolved a lot in their play since the start of the season, with a consistent starting XI made up of young players who are improving. Their technical quality in building from the back is very interesting; we saw it in particular against Lyon and Lens, with strong transition play that allows them to threaten the opponent and settle in their half. FC Lorient are one of the three most compact teams in Ligue 1. We want to win at home, and to do that we’ll need to be very good.”
A tough schedule
“I see the rest of the league campaign as an opportunity, given what we’re capable of against the top teams in the league. I’m not worried at all — I know my team will deliver. We also know these matches define a strong Ligue 1 season and a European qualification spot. For now, Lorient is the most important thing; we have to win.”
Five straight defeats against Lorient
“All runs are meant to be broken. I don’t believe in the idea of a ‘bogey team.’ I remember at Marseille there was that statistic about going away to Bordeaux — people talked about it all year, and of course we never won there. I don’t think that way. I prefer the idea of a self-fulfilling prophecy, but in a positive sense — believing it can happen. It’s up to us to be very good on Saturday to beat Lorient.”
Breel (Embolo) is a leader through his words and his actions; he has found his place within the group. He is a very important player, as illustrated by his goal against Le Havre.
Limited playing time for Djaoui Cissé
“If Djaoui didn’t come on against Le Havre, it was down to the match situation. We needed a different profile, closer to the opposition box. We’re happy with what he’s showing in training, the level is high in his position and you have to adapt. It will require energy and character from him to turn this situation around.”
Quentin Merlin’s versatility
“Playing him in midfield is an opportunity given his qualities. Against Le Havre, he showed us his ability in tight spaces and in ball recovery. The pass he plays to Estéban, which Mpasi saves, is exceptional. Quentin is capable of switching play and finding depth with his left foot. I also want him to be more decisive offensively as he approaches the opposition goal. He’s a very good option in that role, notably because he loses very few balls. It’s a pleasure to see him adapt as a right wing-back, a left wing-back and in midfield. I found him particularly good in that position against Lille, where he helped Lilian Brassier a lot.”
Breel Embolo growing in stature
“Breel is a leader through his words and his actions; he has settled into the group. He’s a very important player, as shown by his goal against Le Havre. Every weekend, I ask myself about the attacking partnership, the best pairing to have the most impactful attack. What’s interesting with the profiles we have is that we score in moments when the opposition is under pressure. Breel currently embodies that success.”
Estéban Lepaul
Sharing the points with Le Havre
“Our feelings are mixed. We didn’t get the result we were hoping for, but with a bit of hindsight after analysing the match, we told ourselves it was a valuable point picked up, even though we sometimes felt we lacked intensity.”
Focus on the derby
“If we want to keep being part of this top six, we have no other choice but to win this match against Lorient. They’re a team in good form, and there’s also the derby aspect. It’s a match that has to be won over time. We’ll need to be demanding, efficient, wary of their qualities, and confident in what we know how to do in order to win.”
The negative run against Les Merlus
“After a result that isn’t positive, you have to bounce back regardless of the opponent. So it will be Lorient, and we’re determined to put an end to this poor run against them.”
His last goal against Brest
“Officially it’s only a four-game goal drought, but of course that spell without scoring doesn’t make me happy. I’m focused on the team’s results, that’s what matters—you can’t shine on your own. I knew it would come; I have to keep my confidence and keep working so that this run lasts as short a time as possible. The team has continued to win, and that’s the most important thing.”
After a result that wasn’t positive, we have to bounce back regardless of the opponent. So it will be Lorient, and we’re determined to put an end to this poor run against them.
Top scorers’ standings
“The objective is to finish very high up the table. I’m only three goals off the very best in Ligue 1 at the moment. I’m not worried—I want to win, score goals, and for us to be playing in Europe at the end of the season. The group always comes first, that’s the truth. What matters most is achieving the club’s objectives.”
The evolution of his profile
“That’s what I mentioned at the start of the year regarding the areas where I want to improve. I work with the coaching staff, especially on playing with my back to goal and on dropping deeper, and there’s still too much waste in my game for my liking. We keep working on it, while knowing that I enjoy making runs and attacking space.”
Breel Embolo’s form
“Breel is in incredible form and I’m very happy about it, because he was the first to be delighted when I was going through my strong spell. He’s always smiling, hard-working, and I’m not surprised: Breel has been a professional since he was 16, he’s played World Cup matches, and has experienced eight consecutive seasons in the Champions League. Quite simply, he’s performing to his standards and carrying us. His role within the group is very important.”
Matchday 19 Ligue 1 McDonald's
Stade Rennais F.C. / FC Lorient
Saturday 24 january 2026 - 5pm
Roazhon Park
