Stade Rennais manager Franck Haise is weighing a return to a three-man central defense system as his side prepares to face Juventus at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Thursday, according to SO FOOT.com. The tactical pivot comes after back-to-back defeats in which the Breton club conceded four goals in each match—first against Lyon and then in a 4-3 loss to Paris FC.

Defensive leaks spark tactical reflection in Brittany

Rennes arrives in Italy to face a Juventus side sitting at the top of their UEFA Europa League group phase with six points after two matches, following a 0-0 draw at Sturm Graz and a 2-1 victory over OFI Crète. Yet domestic frailties have forced the coaching staff to reevaluate their approach. Against Paris FC, Rennes clawed back three times before conceding a late winner, dropping the club to sixth place in the Ligue 1 table. SO FOOT.com reported that Haise addressed reporters on Wednesday evening, admitting that the defensive leakage demands a thorough review of collective organization.

We’ve conceded four goals twice, and that leads us to ask questions about our collective structure, our principles, our block heights, the system, and the players, Haise told the press, as cited by SO FOOT.com. We can change systems even after picking up points. We can change systems when there are moments we aren’t satisfied, or we can keep it by changing animations and doing things differently. Everything is always possible.

Franck Haise also noted that When you take four goals away from home, it’s not easy to take points, even if the chance for 4-3 is first for us, adding that It must be more consistent to have ambitions, to have the eleven players in tune… When there are only 7, 8 or 9, it is not enough for us. He further stated that This will not be enough away from home if we do not change things in our principles, in character, in the ability to win duels, because Juve imposes a lot of pressure, and emphasized that The answer must be collective, even if there is also what everyone must do better individually. We will have to be more defensively efficient, more rigorous, so as not to be in difficulty.

Injury sidelines top scorer Estéban Lepaul for Turin fixture

Rennes will travel without talismanic forward Estéban Lepaul, who remained behind in France to treat an ankle injury. Foot Mercato reported that Lepaul sustained the injury during stoppage time against Paris FC after delivering a long through-ball to Mousa Al-Tamari. Though initial medical exams brought reassuring news, the forward was left off the traveling squad to avoid further risk. Franck Haise a confirmé qu’Estéban Lepaul ne sera pas là demain, c’est sûr, laissant le coach sans un joueur qui a inscrit un triplé sur penalty le week-end dernier et est encore en tête du classement de Ligue 1 avec sept réalisations.

Haise stated that Esteban stayed in Rennes to treat himself, and added that he had no idea about the exact duration of the absence while confirming he will not be there tomorrow (Thursday), that’s for sure. Regarding tactical alternatives, Haise explained that It will be an opportunity for players in the squad who have quality to show their qualities (and for) us, collectively too, to continue to create chances.

Senegalese international Boulaye Dia emerges as the most direct replacement to lead the attack against the Italian giants.

Squad depth and demands for collective rigor in Italy

Defender Charlie Cresswell echoed that sentiment in comments published by the Stade Rennais official site, calling the performance deeply frustrating and asserting that the team cannot expect victories while leaking four goals per match.

Despite a heavy 3-0 defeat suffered by the Italian side against Lazio Rome on Sunday, Franck Haise may be tempted to shake up his hierarchy and bench certain senior players, opening the door for less regular starters.

The match kicks off at the Allianz Stadium, with Rennes seeking defensive steel to protect their European standing.