Ben & Rob's preview - Stade Rennais

Club commentator Rob Daly and N17 Live host Ben Haines are back to preview our UEFA Europa Conference League Group G opener against Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais this evening (5.45pm UK).

Stade Rennais

Thoughts on tonight's opponents in France...

Rob: "I think Spurs start with the toughest game of their group stage. Rennes finished sixth last season in France and are a team that has gained some European experience in recent years, including an appearance in the 2020/21 Champions League group stage, facing Chelsea. Despite the sale of France international Eduardo Camavinga to Real Madrid late in the transfer window, their squad is packed with quality - particularly on the wing in a 4-3-3 system. Jeremy Doku started Belgium’s Euro 2020 quarter-final against Italy while Kamaldeen Sulemana could play on the other side. He is the same age as Doku and already plays for Ghana. Lovro Majer may look familiar too - and not only because the Croatian has shades of Luka Modric about him! He faced Spurs as Dinamo Zagreb’s number 10 last season and was signed for big money by Rennes for his creativity. However, it looks like Doku and Majer might not be involved this evening - let's wait and see..."

Ben: "They've had a big turnover in terms of players in and out over the last couple of seasons, but, equally, this will be tough as they are arguably, as Rob said, the toughest team we'll face in the group. Having said that, I'm actually pleased we've got quite a difficult group because it will keep everyone engaged. It's also a chance for squad players to show they deserve a chance. Again, Doku would be the one for me, he was really exciting in Euro 2020, so much pace, so direct, one to watch if he does play."

Group G

How did Ben and Rob see the group going?

Ben: "I don't think we've played Vitesse Arnhem competitively (only in a friendly back in 2000), and they are another good side, a tricky away day. Home form is number one here. I've said it before, but the main thing for me is squad rotation and we'd all love to see some of our younger players get some game time!"

Rob: "When Nuno went deep in to the Europa League with Wolves, he kept quite a tight squad and didn’t rotate too much. I can’t predict exactly how he’ll play the Conference League group stage. Home games will be key and, potentially, like the play-off win, I'm sure we’ll see stronger matchday squads for the home ties with all players already in London. I’ve also seen lots of Vitesse too in the past 12 months - they’ll be tricky. They play 3-5-2 with some excellent technical players like marauding centre-back Riechedly Bazoer and stocky attacking midifelder Oussama Tannane - a guy with trickery, a fine swerving shot and range of passing on him. The group can’t be underestimated."

Glory nights...

We put to the guys - taking away that night in Amsterdam - what was their favourite European memory...

Rob: "Okay then - I’ll actually try not to go for any game from the 2018/19 Champions League run as City, Dortmund and Barca were all great. Let’s go with the February 2011 win at AC Milan and that Peter Crouch breakaway goal or the Wembley victory over Real Madrid in November 2017. Both were exceptional nights for the football club. The UEFA Cup wins were a bit before my time!"

Ben: "I'm going to say City away in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final is my favourite. I also have fond memories of Mousa Dembele scoring a rare goal against Lyon (February, 2013), ghosting past a player and lacing one into the corner! That was part of a run to the quarter-finals of the Europa League and rarely gets talked about. He's one of my favourite ever Spurs players. One to remember!"