Overall it was a pretty even game, both sides had their fair share of the ball and the chances in the game. Stade Rennais were a bit shaky in defence and the goal they conceded in the last minute was from a mistake. They also countered well using the pace they have upfront but a few poor touches and misplaced passes meant they wasted these chances. Saint-Étienne were much stronger defensively despite having two young players at CB in Saliba and Fofana.
Ratings
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average in this match
Eduardo Camavinga
Player Profile:
- Nationality: French
- Age: 17
- DOB: 10/11/2002
- Club: Stade Rennais
- Career: Stade Rennais
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Secondary Position: Centre Midfield
- Preferred Foot: Left
Camavinga throughout the game showed his brilliant ball control and technique, taking the ball under pressure and getting out of tight spaces using his dribbling, speed and agility. For a 17-year-old his composure is very impressive, never rushed or overthought his decisions during the game which led to him being more effective in the game. Although he can get forward with the ball and help his team in the attack, a few times he would drop deep to receive the ball of the back 4 to advance it up the pitch.
Defensively he had a mixed game, he made a few good tackles throughout the game as well as reading the game and stepping up to intercept a pass. However, a few times he would lose sight of his man who would make the run behind him and then they would be able to run at the back 4 when they received the ball.
As he played in a midfield two, he would often get forward and link up with the forwards. When he was in advanced positions, he again demonstrated his brilliant dribbling and ball control, but he also showed good ability to use his weaker. This helps him to move the ball quicker either to teammates or gaps in the oppositions press.
Overall, it was a very impressive performance from the Frenchman, it will be a big season this year for him as he has now taken the number 10 shirt. As long as he can stay fit, he will continue to improve and establish himself as a very good midfielder in Europe. Once this happens he will no doubt make a move to one of Europes top clubs.
Rating – A1
Faitout Maouassa
Player Profile:
- Nationality: French/Congolese
- Age: 22
- DOB: 06/07/1998
- Club: Stade Rennais
- Career: AS Nancy, Nîmes Olympique
- Position: Left Back
- Secondary Position: Left Midfield
- Preferred Foot: Left
Maouassa had a solid game on that left-hand side. A very quick full back who likes to get up the field and support his winger. Decent ball control and technique when dribbling, likes to take players on. He showed throughout the game a good range of passing, varying between short passes to the CB or the CM and long passes down the line to the LW. However one thing which let him down a bit during the game is that he tries to force passes when the space is too congested, he likes to make risky passes but at times he made these passes in his own half.
One thing which really impressed me was his ability to win the ball back, either making a tackle or using his strength to push a player away from the ball and take possession. Uses his pace well to close down wide players to stop a cross coming in. A few times he would lose concentration and start ball watching which always led to his marker running in behind, however Maouassa would use his pace to bail him out. When he gets forward he overlapped well however there was a few opportunities where he could have put in a cross but he didn’t do it.
Overall he had a good game, didn’t get beaten often by his opponent and got forward well to support his wide player. I would like to see him put more crosses into the box, especially when Rennais are on the counter and the opposition defence isn’t in their shape. Decision making also could be improved especially when making passes in his own half as when he tried to force some of his passes it would put his team under pressure.
Rating: A2
Romain Del Castillo
Player Profile:
- Nationality: French/Spanish
- Age: 24
- DOB: 29/03/1996
- Club: Stade Rennais
- Career: Olympique Lyon, Bourg-en-Bresse, Nîmes Olympique, Stade Rennais
- Position: Right Wing
- Secondary Position: Centre Forward
- Preferred Foot: Left
Del Castillo had a very good game, despite lining up front in a two, he often would drop deep and link up with the CM. When doing this he showed his brilliant ball control and vision by receiving the ball and spreading it wide. His decision making in the final third could improve however as at times when he was dribbling at the opposition back 4, he would have runners in behind but he chose to take players on and ended up losing the ball.
When he did get in and around the box he didn’t take shots when he had the opportunity to, but the shots he did take were weak and right at the keeper. Throughout the game he showed good special awareness, especially around the box so he would always find space between the defenders. If he took more shots when he gets into these spaces it would take his game to the next level.
His pressing is very good as he would bend his runs behind Fofana and Saliba and force them to go long which often led to Rennais winning possession of the ball. Good work rate so he did this throughout the game which helped Rennais in winning the ball back as St Étienne didn’t have many opportunities to play out of the back.
Overall he showed that he is a good player who with runners around him can show his creative side. Due to the positions he gets into, if he improved his shooting and started scoring more goals it would take him to the next level and Rennais would win more games.
Rating – B1
Raphinha
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian/Italian
- Age: 23
- DOB: 14/12/1996
- Club: Stade Rennais
- Career: Avaí, Vitória Guimarães SC, Sporting CP, Stade Rennais
- Position: Right Wing
- Secondary Position: Left Wing
- Preferred Foot: Left
Raphinha throughout the game showed good ball control and pace by constantly taking players on. Left footer playing on the right so he would wait for a player to commit before cutting and advancing up the pitch. He still needs to improve his decision making however as at times he would beat a player but wouldn’t make the right pass, either passing backwards or trying to shoot. Another thing which he could improve on is using his weaker foot, he is very left footed and it made him very predictable.
He demonstrated good ball control to win a penalty for his team, by bringing the ball down and changing direction almost instantly. However at times he does overdo things, at one point he had the ball down the wing and he overhit the ball down the line and he lost possession as he was pushed off the ball when he had an option on the inside.
One thing which he could improve on is timing his runs, there was multiple scenarios where he was unmarked but he went too early and was caught offside whereas if he timed it right he would have been through on goal. Defensively works hard however needs to learn to bend his runs and try to force the opposition to go where they don’t have any team mates to pass to.
Overall had a decent game, worked hard but could have been more clever with his energy especially when pressing. Very predictable but also very good technically and quick so is difficult to handle without fouling him. Very raw but can definitely get better if he grows physically and improves decision making.
Rating – B1
Joris Gnagnon
Player Profile:
- Nationality: French/Ivory Coast
- Age: 23
- DOB: 13/01/1997
- Club: Stade Rennais, on loan from Sevilla
- Career: Stade Rennais, Sevilla, Stade Rennais (L)
- Position: Centre Back
- Preferred Foot: Right
Gnagnon had a very mixed game. Defensively in 1v1 situations he was good, very strong in 1v1 situations. Lost concentration multiple times and started ball watching and left huge gaps in the LCB area. One of the reasons why this happened was because he would step up into midfield to try and intercept the pass but due to his size he is slow to close down the opponent and then they would play around him and expose the space he left behind.
His distribution was OK, showed a good range of passing however he looks very uncomfortable when asked to pass with his left foot. He would rotate his body shape to avoid using left foot which is a dangerous thing to do, especially against the big clubs where they can exploit this and press him from his right hand side to force the ball onto his left.
Although he isn’t the quickest, he is still good at covering the wide areas by closing down the space and stopping the opposition from getting a cross in. He positions himself well on the egde of his box to block shots and spaces for opposition to play in. Although his pace is not the biggest issue, it is still something which teams could exploit. However the biggest worry when watching him was how he continuously avoided using his left foot which teams will exploit and can lead to him losing the ball in his own half. He did show that as a 1v1 defender he is very good but could still improve his awareness of the spaces he is leaving open. This can come with experience.
Rating – B2
Target Scouting 