Rennes’ bonded squad eyes Champions League push at Lyon | OneFootball

Rebuilt last summer, Rennes have surged on tighter bonds on and off the pitch. Fifth in Ligue one with three matches left, they could still reach the Champions League and visit Lyon on Sunday at 20:45.

According to L'Équipe, momentum sharpened after Habib Beye was replaced by Franck Haise. A 3-1 win over PSG on 13 February under interim coach Sébastien Tambouret set the tone, before eight wins in 10 and a 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 shift.

Quentin Merlin described the healthiest squad he has known, insisting no one puts themselves first. He felt the season would not look the same without that unity, and that they will need it for the run-in.

Désiré and head of recruitment Alexandre Pasquini have targeted personalities as much as talent when signing Mahdi Camara, Estéban Lepaul or Breel Embolo. Rennes also still dream of a first podium across a full season.

Cohesion took time beyond an early Côte d’Émeraude camp overseen by performance lead Laurent Bessière. Players often come in on rest days for recovery or to watch Academy matches, and on-field partnerships have flourished, notably Camara with Valentin Rongier.

Webs of friendship run throughout, including Camara with Arnaud Nordin and Djaoui Cissé with Anthony Rouault. Roles have rotated too, with former substitutes becoming starters, while Haise stresses long-term progress and further development in the coming weeks and months.

Source: L'Équipe