Stade Rennais reached a new milestone in Europe after the 2-1 victory against OFI Crete, a result which allowed coach Franck Haïse to congratulate himself in a humorous way on his continental career. In an interview with Canal+, Haïse joked that he had finally found the “miracle formula” to win the Europa League, after a drought which had seen him winless for almost three years.
Previously, Haïse had accumulated 19 European matches without success, both at RC Lens and OGC Nice, before taking over at Rennes. Their last European triumph dates back to December 2023, when Lens beat Sevilla FC in the Champions League. This victory marked a striking contrast with the recurring defeats in the Europa League, where the Breton team's performances often left something to be desired. Haïse's joke therefore highlights the contrast between his past successes in the Champions League and his recent difficulties in the Europa.
The match against OFI Crete was a real test of resilience for the Rennais. Trailing from the 10th minute, they were only able to equalize in the 73rd minute thanks to Mahamadou Nagida. It was Abdelhamid Aït-Boudlal who finally sealed the victory by scoring the decisive goal in the final minutes. Haïse praised the performance of his players, acknowledging that the series of defeats had weighed on him. “I’m a competitor, so yes, it definitely takes a toll, it’s not very funny,” he added, emphasizing the importance of this victory for his morale and that of the team.
This success opens new prospects for Stade Rennais in the Europa League. Haïse expressed his hope to continue this momentum, saying that the victory gave him confidence and that the players are now capable of turning a match around until the end. He also mentioned that self-deprecation and perseverance will be key elements to continue progressing in European competitions.
Currently, the club is preparing for its next European challenges, while consolidating its domestic performances. The victory against OFI Crete could well be the starting point of a new era for Stade Rennais in Europe, where the coach and his players will look to turn this success into a series of more regular successes.