Stade Rennais will face Girondins de Bordeaux in the 32nd round of the Coupe de France on Sunday without forward Amine Gouiri, who has been sidelined due to a knee injury.
Head coach Jorge Sampaoli confirmed the news during a press conference on Friday, revealing the Algerian international is not fully fit to participate.
Gouiri sustained the injury during Rennes’ Ligue 1 match against Angers last weekend, leaving him unable to feature in the upcoming cup tie.
“He is recovering. I don’t think he will be there in Bordeaux, but we hope he will be ready for Nice,” Sampaoli stated. The clash with Nice is scheduled for January 3, 2025, as part of the Ligue 1 campaign.
Gouiri’s Contribution This Season
The absence of Gouiri is a notable setback for Rennes. While his stats this season may not be extraordinary—two goals and one assist in 15 league appearances—his presence and creativity have been vital in key moments for the team.
Despite not being at his best in terms of numbers, Gouiri’s ability to link up play and stretch defenses has made him an important part of Sampaoli’s tactical setup.
His unavailability means Rennes will need to rely on other attacking options to secure progression in the Coupe de France.
Rennes Aiming for French Cup Glory
Stade Rennais head into the French Cup match against Bordeaux eager to make a deep run in the competition.
With Gouiri missing, the onus will fall on other players to deliver the attacking spark needed to overcome their Ligue 2 opponents.
Bordeaux, though in a lower division, are expected to provide stiff competition.
Rennes will need to balance their attacking ambitions with defensive solidity, especially given the absence of a key contributor like Gouiri.
Looking Ahead
While Gouiri focuses on recovery, Rennes will aim to navigate this critical period without him.
The hope remains that he will return in time for their Ligue 1 encounter against Nice, providing the team with a boost as they seek to climb higher in the league standings.
For now, all eyes turn to Sunday’s match, where Rennes must adapt and overcome in pursuit of French Cup success.
