Hamburg v Rennes Match Preview

By: Chris | November 28th, 2007

HSV look to continue their great form when they meet Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais FC, better known as Rennes, in a UEFA Cup Group D match Thursday at the Nordbank Arena in Hamburg. Hamburg sit 3rd in the Bundesliga on 30 points, 1 point back of Bayern Munich and equal with rival Werder Bremen. HSV are coming off a convincing (see below) 2-0 win over Hansa Rostock. Rennes, meanwhile, sit 4th in the Ligue 1 table at 24 points, and look to bounce back from a tough 0-2 home loss to Lyon (1st, 34 points). Hamburg currently sit 2nd in the Group D table on 3 points, 1 behind leader Basel, with a game in hand; Rennes are 4th in Group D on 1 point. Interestingly, Rennes have never won a group stage game, having lost all 4 matches in the 2005/2006 competition. Hamburg, on the other hand, have not lost in their last 8 UEFA club matches, winning both home games in the 2005/2006 competition.

Hamburg’s victory over Hansa came on the heels of Huub Stevens’ announcement that he was leaving the club following the current campaign to become manager at PSV Eindhoven of the Dutch Eredivise. In retrospect, we probably should have seen this coming, given: Stevens’ history with PSV (18 years as a player and manager); Stalled negotiations with HSV on a contract extension; His wife’s ongoing treatment for an intestinal ailment at an Eindhoven hospital. The fact remains that the side were focused on the match and not distracted by the news, and quickly put Hansa away on goals by our boy Raphael van der Vaart (19′) and England-slayer Ivica Olic (61′).

This is the second of 3 matches for HSV in the span of 7 days. They next play northern rival Werder Bremen on Saturday. Huub is saying all the right things by repeatedly maintaining they are focused on Rennes and not Bremen. We shall see. The importance of the tie with Werder Bremen cannot be understated; both sides sit 1 point behind Bayern. Add in the rivalry factor, and you have the makings of a gigantic match Saturday in Bremen . . . and what’s known in gambling circles as a trap game versus Rennes.

Hamburg go into Thursday’s match mostly healthy, if a bit tired. Nigel De Jong and Tim Atouba could only train on excercise bikes on Tuesday and are considered doubtful. Paolo Guerrero and Guy Demel continue to struggle to regain full fitness and are likely out. Romeo Castelen and Jerome Boateng both trained without problems Tuesday and are fit to play.

I am, admittedly, unfamiliar with most clubs in the Ligue 1, but for an insightful analysis, the Rennes Offside is the place to go. Rennes come into the tie having dropped their last 3 matches without scoring. Injuries have played a large role in their recent form.

With Rennes struggling to find the net recently and Hambug’s defence having only conceded 10 goals in 14 Bundesliga matches, Hamburg have to be favored. I don’t see them cruising to victory, but I don’t think they will struggle to mightily either. My SWAG prediction: Hamburg do just enough to win and try to reserve themselves for the Bremen match this weekend–HSV 1, Rennes 0. Line ups to follow as they become available.