Stade Rennais F.C. / Stade Malherbe Caen : 1-2
Goals:
SRFC : Estéban Lepaul (40e)
SMC : Samuel Noireau-Dauriat (72e, 81e)
The Rouge et Noir line-up, first half 1 : Kilian Belazzoug ; Przemysław Frankowski, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, Jonathan Do Marcolino, Mahamadou Nagida, Adrien Thomasson, Henrick Do Marcolino, Mahdi Camara (captain), Ludovic Blas, Nordan Mukiele, Estéban Lepaul
The Rouge et Noir line-up, second half 2 : Kilian Belazzoug ; Kenny Assignon, Rayan Bamba, Anthony Rouault, Quentin Merlin, Valentin Rongier (captain), Sebastian Szymański, Djaoui Cissé, Arnaud Nordin, Amadou Diallo (Lucas Rosier), Issa Soumaré
Estéban Lepaul :
« It feels good to score. This match was primarily about getting back into the swing of things and regaining some fitness. The result wasn’t what we’d hoped for, but what matters is the work we put in.
With the new players, we’re starting to build relationships; they’re settling in very well. We’ve got a team-building camp coming up this evening to strengthen our bonds.
It wasn’t easy with the temperatures, but that’s part of the job – we just have to get on with it. Besides, I only had 45 minutes to play, so it was fine for me. It prepares us for what’s next, and it’s good to be back in action. »
Franck Haise :
« We conceded two goals that could easily have been avoided. In each half, we had our good moments and our more difficult ones. The first quarter of an hour went Caen’s way, but then we stepped up a gear. We managed to score after winning the ball back higher up the pitch.
Then we started the second half well, but the water break probably caused us to lose concentration. But of course we must congratulate Caen, who managed to stay in the game.
We’ve been doing a lot of training in the heat recently. For those who didn’t finish last season, it took its toll a bit. It’ll get better as the weeks go by. Not everyone is quite up to speed yet, but that’s to be expected after eight days of training.
We’re heading off on a training camp in a few hours. On the agenda: plenty of team-building, but just as much hard work. Then we’ll resume after a day off to prepare for the Guingamp match in Dinard next Friday. I hope we’ll see more progress, especially over the long haul. We’ll be able to bring more players into the mix.
It was our first match back, so it was only natural that we were still a bit short on energy. The final weeks of this summer will be much closer to match-day intensity. We know we’re not ready just yet. »
