Stade Rennais inherited Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League play-off, an affordable opponent for the Bretons.
Florian Maurice, sporting director of Rennes, who will face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League play-off:
«It’s not the sexiest draw, not the easiest either because it’s a team that’s used to this kind of competition. We don’t know yet where we are going to play, maybe we will return to Poland as for kyiv. But we really want to do good things and pass this round. As always for them, they will have a very important winter break and it will be their first match since they resume their championship on March 4 (…). We will have played about ten matches before, between the championship and the Coupe de France, so we will be on the pace. But the European Cup remains the European Cup. Shakhtar cannot be considered a favorite (for the title). They lost everything that made their Brazilian epic and allowed them to make hits. The context makes it more difficult for them. But they still have quality players, technically and tactically, who can pose problems for any team. It will be two tough matches, but it’s a good opportunity to keep growing».