RENNES – 1 (Bourigeaud 85) Alfred Gomis, 5 Hamari Traoré, 6 Warmed Omari, 5 Nayef Aguerd, 5 Adrien Truffert, 4 Baptiste Santamaria, 5 Jonas Martin, 4 Benjamin Bourigeaud, 7– His deliveries were typically often threatening and, repeatedly taking up good positions around the box, his use of possession drove much of Rennes’ better attacking play. He also arrived late to side foot home to make it 1-2. Kamaldeen Sulemana, 6 – Slippery and skilful as…

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In an interview with So Foot, Rennes coach Bruno Génésio recounted a bizarre story of picking up a hitchhiker on his way home after Rennes’ 4-1 defeat of Lyon earlier this season. The hitchhiker was a Rennes fan but he failed to recognise his team’s coach. “On my way home from the stadium that night, I picked up a hitchhiker who turned out to be a Rennes fan and I drove him home. He wasn’t…

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In an analysis of Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi’s drop in form of late, L’Équipe report that the Moroccan has privately commented on the team’s lack of defensive compactness. Having initially hit the ground running after his move from Inter, the 23-year-old has seen something of a drop-off in recent weeks. One of the reasons for this could be an unfamiliar four-man defense that the former Real Madrid man now finds himself in. Hakimi, who is…

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UEFA have today released a statement regarding the Conference League group stage match between Rennes and Tottenham Hotspur, after the fixture could not be played on Thursday night when the Premier League side announced its intention not to play following a Covid-19 outbreak in the squad. The governing body has now confirmed that the match will not be played at a later date, despite efforts between UEFA and the two clubs to find a solution.…

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As reported by Foot Mercato, Saint-Étienne are considering offering 33-year-old former Wolves, Crystal Palace and West Brom wide man Bakary Sako a six month contract as new coach Pascal Dupraz looks to strength a squad about to decimated by the African Nations Cup. Sako has been training with the ASSE squad in recent days. Dupraz said: “Bakary Sako is here and if he’s here it’s because he has good reason to be. We all realise…

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As reported by Nice-Martin, speaking with reporters before last night’s 2-1 win over Lens, Nice coach Christophe Galtier opened the door to a departure for attacking midfielder Alexis Claude-Maurice. What about Alexis Claude-Maurice, he’s played very little since the start of the season?“There’s strong competition for his position. It’s difficult for him but he never gives up, he works hard. I discussed it with him, we have to find a good solution for everyone so…

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L’Équipe report that Ligue 1 side Strasbourg have identified 31-year-old Spanish defender Alvaro Gonzalez of Marseille as their priority central defensive target for the January window. Manager Julien Stéphan has been forced to dip into the market following the surgery to Maxime Le Marchand, coupled with AFCON absentees. Initial contact has been made with OM by RSCA to understand under what conditions the South of France side would allow the Spaniard to be loaned. He…

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L’Équipe report that AS Monaco’s players were “shocked” to learn of the sacking of Niko Kovač when the news first broke on Thursday in the French press. Whilst the board maintains that Kovač fell out with the squad, the squad itself was “extremely surprised” about the decision and the timing chosen by the board. ASM have lost just once in 11 matches, and that was at the Parc des Princes vs PSG (0-2). Several players…

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Ligue 1 side Lille would accept a £45m including bonuses proposal to sell Dutch central defender Sven Botman this month, according to sources contacted by Get French Football News. The 21-year-old has over the past week been the subject of multiple approaches from Premier League side Newcastle United, who saw an opening €35m proposal turned down by Ligue 1 champions Lille, as initially reported by Fabrizio Romano. LOSC have so far opposed the Magpies attempts to sign…

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As reported by L’Équipe, Saint-Étienne are looking to continue a fast start to the January transfer window by adding Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta to their squad. With talisman and only real goal threat Whabi Khazri part of a strong Tunisia side at the African Nation’s Cup, which starts this week, ASSE will be without Khazri for several important games and need a replacement forward and a loan for former France under 21 international, now…

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