Rennes vs Celtic
Europa League Group E
5:55pm Thursday September
Stade de la Route-de-Lorient
Rennes head trainer Julien Stephan considers as he warned his staff that getting out of their group could be harder than last year Celtic are very near the standard of Europa League competitions Lazio.
Celtic kick off their group campaign in Brittany on Thursday while their Champions League conquerors, Cluj, take the Italians.
Rennes reached the last 16 last season, supporting Dinamo Kiev and finishing ahead of Astana and Jablonec , before beating Real Betis and dropping to Arsenal.
However, Stephan explained:”It will be totally different group from last year, we think that it’s a stronger group. They’re utilized to winning titles they’ve won eight titles in a row.
“They are a group that are usually at the Champions League and they have enormous experience with many internationals.
“We know they could play in the atmosphere and they’re extremely technical. They are a very, very good team and also possess technical players like (Callum) McGregor, (Ryan) Christie, (James) Forrest, merely to mention a couple.
“They’re well balanced and we understand how difficult it’ll be but we are lucky to play at house and the fans are going to play a big role in a possible win for us.
“I really do believe Celtic are one of the favorites. So far as expertise they need to be in a position to perform well, perhaps just behind Lazio.”
Stephan has lost half of their group which won the French Cup but Rennes sit in the table Paris Saint-Germain during their five matches.
“it is a new group, a new season, there’s a new story to be told and we will need to construct a story with a brand new group,” he explained. “We can’t compare this year with last season, this past year is history.
“We’re in the process of rebuilding and the team is slowly evolving. We have had an excellent beginning in the league and now we need to bring it in to Europe.”
Christopher Jullien was declared fit to your match after sustaining a head injury against Hamilton.
The Frenchman and Marios Ogkmpoe and required medical care clashed before he was forced off.
If Neil Lennon opts to break Jullien hatem Abd Elhamed is compelling to get a start, after picking up a marathon knock, however, Leigh Griffiths didn’t journey.
Rennes losing 1-3 away from the 2011-12 Europa League group stages and are winless in either of their previous meetings at home, drawing 1-1 with Celtic.
Celtic are winless in their last seven away European matches against French opposition (D2 L5) since hammering Nantes 3-1 in the 1966-67 European Cup last 16, en route to winning the trophy.
Including qualifiers, Rennes have dropped one of their last 15 home games in European competition (W8 D6), moving down 1-2 against Dynamo Kiev in last season’s Europa League group phase.
In Champions League and Europa League matches combined, Celtic have won just three of their 45 away team stage matches (W3 D11 L31), with a few of the victories coming from last season’s contest (1-0 in Rosenborg).
Celtic’s James Forrest has played in each of his past four matches in European competition this season, such as in both legs of their Europa League qualifying victory against AIK.
Rennes have begun very well in Ligue 1. I hope that M’Baye Niang won’t be enjoying. He is lightning quick a lesser variant of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. These guys can play and move, and that’s what Celtic struggle against.
Celtic will be helpful about the counter-attack, however their standing is the same. They get frightened when they venture away from home. They do not know whether to perform with a squeezing sport or not and the best places to pitch their defence.
They are going to have talented players and speed out wide, in which they’ll look to exploit. Celtic won’t threaten here and still have traumas that are defensive.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
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