RENNES’ LUDOVIC BAAL READY FOR LYON TEST AT GERLAND
Stade Rennais head to Stade de Gerland on Saturday for a tough clash with Olympique Lyonnais on Matchday 3 of Ligue 1, with defender Ludovic Baal confident in his team’s chances after their narrow but morale-boosting 1-0 win over Montpellier.
Still adjusting to the new season after an opening defeat to Bastia (2-1), Rennes are looking to build on the unity they displayed in their recent win. Baal, who arrived from Lens over the summer, believes the team’s solidarity will be key again against Lyon, one of the league’s top contenders.
“We were solid and united against Montpellier. We’ll need to show these same values against Lyon,” Baal said on the club’s official website. “It’s a good time to face them—before they hit top form.”
Having already delivered an assist against Bastia, Baal is expected to start once again on the left flank. He acknowledges the threat Lyon pose, especially with Claudio Beauvue, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, and Mathieu Valbuena bolstering their squad this summer, but questions whether OL will be as fluid as they were last season.
“They’ve recruited well, but we’ll see if their play is as fluid as last year,” he added. “It’s always hard to impose yourself at Gerland. They rarely concede at home, but we’ll be ready.”
Saturday’s match will serve as an early-season test for Rennes and a chance to measure themselves against one of Ligue 1’s title hopefuls.
