Habib Beye
Team update
"Lilian Brassier is still recovering from the injury he sustained at Real Sociedad. Nordan Mukiele is also recovering from a muscle problem. Mousa Al-Tamari had dental treatment yesterday and we didn't want to take any risks with today's training session, but he will be able to train tomorrow. Valentin Rongier has made a full recovery, so there are no concerns about him."
A great match to open the championship
‘We're in a very good frame of mind. Today, we're starting a new season and we have to be ambitious against these big teams. We know that Marseille are favourites in this match, so it's up to us to show all our qualities. It's exciting. After six weeks of preparation, the staff and players are all eager to start this new season.’
OM, attacking qualities and ambitions
"This is a team that continues to have a strong attacking force, thanks to its individual players and its playing style. They finished second in Ligue 1 last year and are contenders for the title this season. We must be able to compete with this team, thanks in particular to the confidence we have gained during our preparation. That is the ambition we must all have. "
« Competition should enable us to engage in friendly rivalry that will strengthen the group day by day. »
The challenges of this season
"There is a desire to return to European competition as quickly as possible. But — and I will say this again and again — Europe is not something that can be decreed, it has to be earned. We therefore need to be a high-performing team that counts in the league this season. We'll get what we deserve at the end of the 34 games, but I intend to make sure that Stade Rennais does better than in the previous two seasons."
A desire to involve the whole team
‘I don't want to lose anyone along the way. We want players who are 200% committed to the project, in a competitive spirit. Competition should allow us to have a rivalry that will strengthen the group day by day. We have brought quality and competition with our recruitment, while maintaining our youth and our club identity with training. Every player will have to be committed from the beginning to the end of the season.’
Brice Samba
The team spirit
"We worked really hard during the preparation phase. I felt that the team had new energy, with a lot of strength, and that it is ready to fight to achieve the best possible championship. "
His role as leader
‘I'm not the only one in this role. There's Valentin Rongier, Seko Fofana, Christopher Wooh, among others, who also know how to assert themselves in front of the group. It's obviously a responsibility I have to take on, but it's something I'm comfortable with. I'm listened to within the group on a daily basis.’
« We know what we need to do to perform well against this kind of team. »
Starting the season against OM
‘No matter who the opponent is, every match is difficult. For me, there's never a better time to face this or that team. We know what we have to do to perform well against this kind of team. Marseille has a well-built squad with a lot of quality. It's up to us to rise to the occasion.’
The European Cup objective
‘Given the club's history, it's clear that we have to aim for Europe. We know it's very important for the club, but we're not putting any extra pressure on ourselves in that regard. We mustn't forget that last season was very difficult, with a lot of rebuilding work to be done. We're competitors and we're going to focus on winning game after game.’
Matchday 1 Ligue 1 McDonald's
Stade Rennais F.C. / Olympique de Marseille
Friday, 15 August 2025 – 8:45 p.m.
Roazhon Park
Match broadcast on Ligue 1+
