Since the beginning of October, Martin Terrier has returned to the Rennes ranks after very long months of absence due to a rupture of the cruciate ligaments in his right knee last January. The former Olympique Lyonnais player made his return on the 7th day during the derby against Nantes and said he “felt alive again”. As soon as I resumed with the group, I felt alive again: to feel the pressure of the matches, their approach… I had missed all that enormously. I feel ready to start a match.”
And even though the 26-year-old striker had a sluggish debut nine months after his absence, culminating in a missed penalty against Villareal in the Europa League, Terrier is back in form. Brilliant during the victory against Reims in Ligue 1 last Sunday (3-1) by being involved in two of his team’s three goals, the native of Armentières symbolizes, perhaps, the revival of the “made in” Stade Rennais. Julien Stéphan. Before facing Maccabi Haifa in Budapest (Hungary) for the 5th day of the Europa League, Rennes, first in their group, found “its” Terrier.
The club hopes to be able to count on its striker. It must be said that lately, the sky has darkened considerably over the heads of the Rennes players. After the departures last offseason of senior players like Doku, Traoré, Majer, Meling, Badé and Ugochukwu, Steve Mandanda’s teammates had a difficult start to the season. Punctuated by the departure of his coach Bruno Génésio a few days before the match against Reims. And obviously, the Génésio/Terrier understanding was solid. The two men had known each other (well) in Lyon before meeting in Rennes.
Under the Génésio era, Martin Terrier scored 38 goals and 17 assists despite his long absence due to injury. After the match against Stade de Reims on Sunday, the Rennes striker had touching words to thank his former coach at the microphone of Canal Foot. “I have a very special relationship with him, because I also had him in Lyon. I would like to thank him for the trust he has shown in me. He is an excellent coach. Personally and as a coach, he brought us a lot. And he took me through some milestones.”
Was this return to form against Reims a thank you to Génésio or a strong signal sent to Julien Stéphan? Nothing indicates this. But what is certain is that Stade Rennais will need a Martin Terrier in good shape. Already, to reach at least 5th place in Ligue 1 qualifying for the Europa League. Within a prolific attack, 3rd in terms of goals scored (9 goals) in the league behind PSG and Monaco, the former Strasbourg player could continue to put his team on the right track. And on the European scene, the Europa League is doing well for Terrier’s teammates and company. First with 9 points, Rennes can approach their trip to Hungary to face Maccabi Haifa in the most calm way possible. And to achieve all its objectives, the Breton club can count on its inexhaustible attacker.