Franck Haise seeks to end 16-match Europa League wait at Sturm Graz | OneFootball

Stade Rennais open their 2026-27 Europa League campaign at Sturm Graz on Wednesday at 21:00, with Franck Haise carrying a personal run of 16 matches without a win in the competition.

Appointed in February, the Rennes coach has impressed domestically with 11 wins, two draws and three defeats in Ligue 1. As reported by L'Équipe, he addressed his European record on Tuesday.

It began at Lens in 2023-24 with the knockout play-off for the last 16, a draw and a defeat against Freiburg. At Nice across the following two seasons he oversaw 14 Europa League games, drawing three and losing 11. He is on eight straight Europa League defeats and, with two Champions League qualifying losses for Nice, the continental run without victory stands at 19.

Those results contrast with Lens’s two 2-1 Champions League group wins in 2023-24, over Arsenal and Sevilla.

Haise rejected any notion of revenge, saying every context is different. He stressed he focuses on the daily work, the team’s progress and the belief he has in his players, and he said he knows he will win with them.

He added that European fixtures are always difficult, just as in Ligue 1, joking about his 250 domestic matches. To win away, he said, requires even more.

Rennes return to Europe after two seasons out and travel with appetite. A total of 123 away supporters have made the demanding trip to the Graz-Liebenau.

Source: L'Équipe

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