The favourite? Not him
Franck Haise had the perfect chance to talk big. He passed on it.
The Rennes boss faced the media on Wednesday, two days before Marseille visit. His side have seven points from three games. Their opponents have four fewer. It was all there for a bit of chest-thumping.
Haise went the other way. “I am staying very measured. Maybe after 7, 8, 10 matches, we can start to see clearer patterns. To say we are heavy favourites against Marseille right now? I would put a big brake on that, because first of all it is decided on the pitch and, as I keep saying, Marseille have quality, I know they work well, and I think we are only at the start of the season. We need to stay fairly calm.”
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Three games tells you nothing
Marseille arrive at Roazhon Park with a problem. Losing to Paris FC left a mark, the defensive questions are back in circulation, and the mood around the club has turned tense in a fortnight.
Rennes have had the opposite start. Seven points, a settled-looking side, a coach handed a new deal over the summer. Haise still would not bite.
“Just because we have 7 points does not mean everything is perfect and glowing. We know we still have a lot of work to do,” he said.
Then the line that gave the game away. “I think after three games, you have to stay measured about how confident different teams should be. After the first game, everyone was singing Marseille’s praises, and then two matches later…”
Friday night will say more than the table does
None of this is accidental. Haise knows the three things that could hurt him: a table read too early, a Marseille side written off too soon, and a Breton dressing room convinced the hard part is behind it.
OM travel needing an answer. Rennes host needing proof their start was real. Kick-off is Friday, and their coach would rather nobody drew a conclusion before the 10th round.
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