The first phase of the season ended for Rennes with a victory on Wednesday evening at Clermont (1-3) without Nemanja Matic, absent due to muscle pain. In treatment on Tuesday, the Serbian underwent examinations on Wednesday morning, which confirmed a slight thigh injury, depriving him of the last match of the year with the team ranked 10th in Ligue 1. Like the rest of the team, the former Chelsea player, 35, hoped for better for his first five months in Brittany.
Disappointed at first by the sporting results, he hoped for more response, domination too, from a young group in the midst of which he acts as a leader respected for his experience at the very high level. By signing for Rennes last summer from AS Roma, Nemanja Matic certainly did not imagine being so far from the top places at this stage of the season. He regretted, like others, the defeat against Villarreal (2-3) last week when a draw would have been enough for the Bretons to advance directly to the round of 16 of the Europa League.
A sanction passed over in silence
Another event disrupted the end of the year. Late for the chat before the match in Toulouse (0-0) on December 17, he was immediately removed from the starting team in favor of Baptiste Santamaria for this meeting. A sanction that has remained silent until now and which is difficult to pass for Matic who appeared upset when returning to Rennes.
If on the merits, the experienced midfielder does not contest the decision taken by his managers, he does regret that no one at the club informed him earlier of this rule established by Bruno Genesio then maintained, therefore, by his successor Julien Stéphan .
Off the field, the adaptation is not easy for his family either. Father of three children including a young college student enrolled in football school, Nemanja Matic deplores the fact that they were not able to follow the education they wanted when he arrived. Indeed, during discussions prior to his signing, he had expressed his wish to enroll his children in an international school, which they cannot benefit from.
Florian Maurice, the technical director, also came to the establishment in question to discuss the situation recently. Proof that we are looking for the best solution internally to sort things out and allow a better adaptation of the player and his family with regard to their first experience in France.
Matic would not have asked to leave
Having been aware of these annoyances for several weeks, Stade Rennais hopes that everyone will be able to flourish more in the future. Nemanja Matic and his entire family were present for the Christmas tree organized by the club two weeks ago. The opportunity to experience a moment of sharing, all together.
To this day, Nemanja Matic would not have asked to leave. Nor has his agent expressed any desire to leave this winter to management. The player has signed a contract until 2025, and Rennes absolutely wants to keep him in the team. There could still be some questions, in the absence of adjustments, in the midfield during the month of January.
Santamaria questions his future
Disappointed with his reduced playing time since the arrival of Matic, Baptiste Santamaria wonders about the continuation of his adventure in Rennes. Aligned in the last two matches and comfortable in a double pivot in front of the defense, the latter wishes to garner more minutes for the future.
Lyon continues to follow him, like several foreign clubs. A reflection could also be made for the Swiss international Fabian Rieder, promising but who is struggling to establish himself. In terms of arrivals, an experienced attacker and central defender are targeted as priorities.
