Stade Rennais Faces Squad Changes Ahead of Ligue 1 Match Against Nice

Team Updates and Squad Selections for Nice vs Rennes

Stade Rennais has finalized its travelling roster for an upcoming ligue 1 encounter, missing several key names for the trip. Manager Franck Haise will have to navigate the fixture without first-choice goalkeeper Brice Samba and forward Estéban Lepaul.

The fixture at the Allianz Riviera has been moved forward to Friday at 19h instead of its original Saturday slot, and supporters can catch the broadcast on Ligue 1+. The visiting side enters the ninth round of the campaign looking to manage multiple roster absences.

Goalkeeper Situation Following Samba Absence

The omission of Brice Samba is officially confirmed after the international goalkeeper picked up a thigh issue during training sessions earlier in the week. To cover his absence, the coaching staff has brought three different goaltenders into the travelling party: Nicolas Lemaître, Kilian Belazzoug, and Noé Lepage.

Noé Lepage earns a spot in the squad as a replacement for Samba compared to the previous weekend's fixture against Strasbourg. It remains unconfirmed which of Lemaître or Belazzoug will get the nod to start between the posts, as the coaching staff has maintained that they hold full confidence in both options without establishing a strict hierarchy.

Additional Personnel Absences

Beyond the starting goalkeeper, Stade Rennais will also be missing Estéban Lepaul. The forward has not yet returned to training following a severe ankle injury sustained during a match against Paris FC on October 18.

Further compounding the roster challenges, Arnaud Nordin and Henrick Do Marcolino have also been left out of the travelling contingent. Despite these setbacks, the club maintains depth across its defensive and midfield units, featuring players such as Przemysław Frankowski, Valentin Rongier, and Ludovic Blas as they prepare for the weekend test.

Sources: OneFootball, Port of Rotterdam, Maxifoot.