Rennes coach Bruno Genesio optimistic despite Shakhtar loss: “We’re only at half-time.” | OneFootball

Stade Rennais head coach Bruno Génésio was upbeat and optimistic after Les Rouge et Noir fell 2-1 against Shakhtar Donetsk in their Europa League playoff round first leg. Donetsk struck twice in the first half in taking advantage of Rennes’ defensive errors. Lyon loanee Karl Toko Ekambi (30) scored his first goal with Rennes to halve the deficit in the second half. Génésio’s gamble to field a young and mostly inexperienced side backfired. Rennes conceded their third defeat in a row but the coach wanted to see the glass half full.

“We’re only at half-time in the tie and we’re still alive for the second leg”, explained Genesio. “That’s what’s most important in the knockout stages.” The former Lyon manager told to RMC Sport that Rennes could have done better, mostly defense-wise when he lamented the conceding avoidable goals with big mistakes in their build-up play. Stade Rennais will host Shakhtar Donetsk next Thursday to try to overturn the tie. Midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud will be suspended. This weekend, Rennes will host Clermont for Ligue 1 gameweek 24.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval