As the sun sets over Roazhon Park, the tension is palpable for the highly anticipated derby clash between Stade Rennais and FC Nantes on Friday, April 18, 2025. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45, marking the opening of the 30th day of Ligue 1 McDonald's. This match is not just a battle for bragging rights; it holds significant implications for both teams as they navigate the complexities of the league standings.
Currently, Stade Rennais sits at 11th place with 35 points, while FC Nantes trails closely in 13th with 30 points. A victory for Nantes would bring them within two points of their regional rivals, intensifying the stakes of this derby. However, the Canaries face a challenging road ahead, having not won at Roazhon Park since 2013, suffering six consecutive defeats at this venue.
Rennes comes into this match riding high after a resounding 5-1 victory against Le Havre last weekend, a performance that has boosted their confidence. Under the guidance of coach Habib Beye, who took over mid-January, the team has shown signs of improvement, recently pulling away from the relegation zone. Yet, despite this upward trend, Beye's tenure has been scrutinized due to inconsistent performances against teams in the top ten.
"This derby is a chance for us to solidify our position and show that we can compete with the best," Beye stated, emphasizing the need for his team to perform well against their rivals.
For Nantes, the situation is more precarious. With only three points separating them from the relegation play-off spot, every point counts. Their recent form mirrors that of Rennes, with two wins and three losses in their last five matches. The Canaries had their previous match against PSG postponed, giving them an unexpected two-week break, which coach Antoine Kombouaré hopes will translate into a fresh and competitive squad.
"We’ve had some time to regroup, but the pressure is on to get points and distance ourselves from the relegation zone," Kombouaré remarked ahead of the match.
In terms of lineup, Nantes will be without key players Fabien Centonze, Francis Coquelin, and Pedro Chirivella due to injuries. Despite these absences, Kombouaré has a wealth of talent at his disposal. The expected starting eleven features goalkeeper Alban Lopes, with a solid defensive line including Nicolas Pallois and Andrei Castelletto. In the midfield, the promising young talent of Quentin Lepenant is expected to play a crucial role alongside Douglas Augusto and the experienced Leroux. Up front, Mohamed is likely to lead the attack, supported by the pacey Moses Simon and former Rennes player Abline.
"Mohamed has been a key player for us this season, and we’re counting on him to deliver in this crucial match," Kombouaré added, highlighting the importance of his center-forward.
On the other side, Rennes will field a lineup featuring goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, with a back three of Brassier, Rouault, and Jacquet. The midfield will be anchored by Fofana and Matusiwa, while Kalimuendo and Blas are expected to lead the attack. Beye will look to exploit Nantes' defensive weaknesses, particularly given their struggles in recent outings.
The atmosphere surrounding the match has been charged, especially with the decision by the prefecture of Ille-et-Vilaine to limit the number of Nantes supporters to just 500 at Roazhon Park. This decision has been met with backlash from Nantes' supporters' groups, who argue that it undermines the spirit of football and the significance of derby matches.
"We have every right to a full allocation, just like other teams' supporters do when they come to Rennes," a spokesperson for the Nantes supporters said. The tension surrounding this issue adds an extra layer of drama to the already heated rivalry.
As the two teams prepare to face off, the stakes could not be higher. For Rennes, a win would solidify their mid-table position and potentially propel them into the top half of the standings. For Nantes, a victory is essential to keep their survival hopes alive and to break their dismal record at Roazhon Park.
Fans across the region are eagerly anticipating the showdown, and the match will be broadcast live on DAZN, allowing supporters to witness every moment of this gripping encounter.
As the clock ticks down to kick-off, both teams understand the significance of this derby, where pride, points, and history are on the line. With the atmosphere electric and the rivalry fierce, one thing is certain: this match is not to be missed.
The referee for the match will be Abdelatif Kherradji, who will have the tough task of managing a game that promises to be intense both on and off the pitch. As the players take to the field, the hope is that this derby will live up to its storied history and provide fans with a thrilling display of football.
In conclusion, as the teams line up for what promises to be a historic encounter, the narrative is set: can Nantes finally break their losing streak at Roazhon Park, or will Rennes continue their resurgence under Beye? Only time will tell, but the excitement is palpable.
