Luis Enrique has praised the immediate impact of Habib Beye on Rennes for the journey from Paris Saint-Germain to Roazhon Park this Saturday.
Beye replaced Jorge Sampaoli in January and led the Ligue 1 side to four wins of his first five games at the helm after losing their previous four.
For the context, that is only one victory that has managed less than Rennes in the first 19 games of the season, after they have won five, two pulled and have lost 12 of their games so far.
Beye has indeed now won more games that are responsible for Rennes in Ligue 1 this period than one of the previous three head coaches who have managed the club this period.
Julien Stephan, who started the season at the helm, only succeeded in three victories, while Sampaoli only registered two of his eight games. Sebastien Tambouret, who was an interim declaration before Beye was appointed, lost his only competition.
“It is clear that they have a very good run since the Coach's change,” Luis Enrique told reporters. “Four victories, one defeat.
“They have the opportunity to be in a good position in the rankings. It is difficult to form a fast connection with players, but in this case they are doing very well.
“It's hard to play away from home. Rennes is always difficult. I have no doubt that they are motivated to defeat us …
“They have a very positive dynamic, they are aggressive in defense one-on-one, they take risks, the players are well placed, they are at home and have nothing to lose.”
4th Victoire and 5 matchs, ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
โก #MHSCSRFC 0-4 pic.twitter.com/GIH5DQHS0C
– Stade Rennais FC (@stadererennais) 2 March 2025
During this weekend's competition, Douse Doue will also return to Rennes for the first time since making the switch to PSG in August last year.
Doue has been an impressive addition to the ranks of Luis Enrique, who registered seven goals and 10 assists in 36 performances in all competitions this season.
In Ligue 1 this season, only Ousmane Dembele (37) has completed more dribbles than Doue (33), where the talented teenager also creates 32 opportunities for his team.
Asked about the development of Doue, Luis Enrique said: “There are not two similar paths. Some players are faster than others to adapt.
“Doue played very well at Rennes last season, in different positions. With us he performs like last season. He is in line with the rest of the team.”
PSG Lead Ligue 1 with 13 points, but will have one eye on their Champions League last 16 second -stage against Liverpool against Liverpool on Tuesday.
Luis Enrique watched as his side dominated the game, but fell on the 87th minute winner of Harvey Elliott to give them a tough task to reach the next round.
The Parisiens had 27 shots, the second record (from 2003-04) on the side of a side in a Champions League-Knock-out match in which they both did not score and lost, only PSG herself against Borussia Dortmund in May 2024 (30).
Luis Enrique, however, stated that he was fully focused on Rennes, who won three of their last five home games against PSG in Ligue 1.
“We only had two days to prepare for. It is the shortest possible cycle. It is not training, it is recovery. I am only interested in pre-match training with Rennes.”
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