To qualify directly for the knockout stages of the Europa League, Rennes must not lose against Villarreal at home on Thursday December 14. Held in check by Maccabi Haifa on Wednesday evening (0-0), the Spanish club failed to regain the lead of group F. A disappointing result against a team which had only one point in five days but not illogical as Manuel Trigueros and others had waste in the last gesture (16 shots, only 5 on target).
Coached since mid-November by the short-lived Marseille coach Marcelino, whose record is now three wins and two draws since his return, the Spaniards will have to win at Roazhon Park to avoid the play-offs. Haifa, which returns to two Panathinaikos units before moving to Greece on the last day, will be transferred to C4 in the event of success.
