A friendly match in camera, and yet a most singular tension. For their third preparation meeting this Saturday at La Jonelière, FC Nantes and Stade Rennais find themselves in a context that goes far beyond the sports framework. At the heart of this summer derby, a man focuses all the attention: Valentin Rongier, who is about to make his big debut with Rennes … Faced with the club that formed it.
Rongier, high tension reunion
The story is almost ironic. The child of La Jonelière, where he spent seventeen years of his life before becoming Captain of the Canaries, returns to his land for the first time in the jersey of the Rennes “enemy”. His transfer rocked the Nantes community this week. For the old darling of the Beaujoire, this match, even without an accounting issue and disputed in a format of 3 × 45 minutes, is a first emotional test to launch its adventure in red and black.
Nantes, between absences and new heads
On the Nantes side, this meeting is above all an opportunity for coach Luis Castro to continue his workforce review. If the club has to deal without several key elements like Nathan Zézé, departure of departure, or Francis Coquelin, injured, this match will be the opportunity to integrate the latest recruits. Supporters will carefully follow the first steps expected from striker Youssef El Arabi, defender Chidozie Awaziem and the South Korean midfielder Kwon Hyeok-Kyu.
Rongier aligned from entry by Habib Beye.
Rennes: Habib Beye found his “coach player”
For Habib Beye, this match marks the arrival of a centerpiece in his project. The Rennes coach sees Valentin Rongier the “coach player” and the experienced leader capable of bringing “emotional stability” to his midfielder. His first minutes, which should take place alongside Seko Fofana and Ludovic Blas, will be scrutinized closely, as the first act of the reconstruction of Rennes ambitions for the coming season.
| 📋 Practical info | |
|---|---|
| 🏟️ Place | Jonelière training center (camera) |
| 🗓️ Date | Saturday July 26, 2025 |
| ⏰ Time | 5:00 p.m. (French time) |
| ⚽ Match | Nantes 🆚 Rennes |
| 📋 Status | Friendly preparation match (pre-season) |
The compos of the Nantes – Rennes match:
Nantes: Carlgren; Amian, Awaziem, Tati, Cozza; Deuff, Leroux, Tabibou, Benhattab; Guirassy, Mohamed.
Rennes: Samba; Jacquet, Rouault, Hateboer, Nagida; Fofana, Rongier, Al-Tamari, Blas; Kalimuendo, Meité.
| 📺 TV & streaming of the Nantes – Rennes match | |
|---|---|
| 📺 TV channel | ❌ No broadcast planned on television |
| 💻 Streaming | Official Youtube channel of FC Nantes and Stade Rennais |
| 📱 Social networks | Live followed on the Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts of the two clubs |
