Rennes vs Lyon: Can Les Gones Start the Season Strong?
Lyon travel to Roazhon Park to face Rennes in their opening Ligue 1 fixture of the 2024-25 season on Sunday afternoon. Both sides finished in the top half last season and will be hoping for a strong start as they aim for European qualification this term.
Rennes' Rollercoaster Season
After challenging for Champions League spots in previous campaigns, Rennes' standards slipped in 2023-24, leaving them with a disappointing 10th-place finish â their joint-lowest top-flight position in a decade.
Julien Stéphan, who took over as manager in November, oversaw a major squad overhaul this summer. Rennes recouped over £60m from five player sales and spent around £40m on seven new signings. The team finished pre-season on a high with a 1-0 win over Werder Bremen, thanks to a goal from Benjamin Bourigeaud. Stéphan highlighted the importance of pre-season in allowing his team to build chemistry and fitness for the season ahead.
Despite their summer activity, Rennes will be looking to improve on their dismal end to last season, having won just three of their final 12 Ligue 1 matches. They will be hoping for a better start against Lyon, who they beat 3-2 away from home in their last encounter.
Lyon's Resurgence under Pierre Sage
Lyon faced a relegation battle midway through last season after a dismal start that saw them win just one of their opening 15 games. However, the arrival of head coach Pierre Sage sparked a remarkable turnaround.
No French top-flight team accumulated more points in 2024 than Lyon, who climbed from the foot of the table to sixth place and secured Europa League football for the current season.
Sage's side has been busy in the summer transfer window, bringing in eight new players for a combined fee of almost £100m. Their most notable departure was Republic of Ireland international Jake O'Brien, who joined Everton for around £16.4m after a single season in France.
Lyon's pre-season has been mixed, with two wins, two defeats, and one draw from five friendlies. Their most recent match saw them lose 2-0 against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Despite losing four of their last six meetings with Rennes, Lyon did beat their opponents on their last visit to Roazhon Park, winning 1-0 in November last year.
Team News and Potential Lineups
Rennes has lost several key players this summer, including Enzo Le Fée, Martin Terrier, and Jeanuel Belocian. Star winger Desire Doué is also on the verge of a move to Paris Saint-Germain for a reported fee close to â¬60m.
However, the club has recruited a number of new faces, with midfield trio Albert Gronbaek, Glen Kamara, and Jordan James all in contention for their debuts this weekend. Full-back Hans Hateboer, centre-back Leo Ostigard, and forward Henrik Meister are also potential starters.
Benjamin Bourigeaud and Arnaud Kalimuendo, who both scored 15 goals last season, are expected to lead the line for Rennes.
Lyon's most expensive signing this summer is Moussa Niakhate, who joined from Nottingham Forest for around £27m. The central defender is set to make his debut alongside Duje Caleta-Car. Lucas Perri is expected to take the number one jersey from Anthony Lopes, while Corentin Tolisso, Maxence Caqueret, and Nemanja Matic could all feature in midfield.
Alexandre Lacazette's availability remains uncertain after his Olympic silver medal triumph with France, but Georges Mikautadze is poised to make his Lyon debut, potentially starting alongside Said Benrahma in attack.
Rennes Possible Starting Lineup:
Mandanda; Seidu, Wooh, Ostigard, Assignon; Bourigeaud, Gronbaek, Kamara, Blas; Gouiri, Kalimuendo.
Lyon Possible Starting Lineup:
Perri; Vinicius, Caleta-Car, Niakhate, Mata; Tolisso, Caqueret, Matic; Benrahma, Lacazette, Mikautadze.
Prediction:
Both teams will be eager for a positive start to the season, but Lyon's recent form and summer recruitment give them the edge. We predict a 1-2 win for the visitors.
For a detailed analysis of the most likely results, scorelines, and more for this match, please click here.
