Stade Rennais FC vs Lorient preview - Montanier demands derby win

Rennes head coach Philippe Montanier has urged his players to rise to the occasion in their Friday night Breton derby against Lorient.

After a rocky run, Rennes have strung together a five-match unbeaten streak and tackle neighbours who are lurking in the Ligue 1 relegation zone.

Such had been their form that a draw for Rennes against Nantes last weekend was a disappointment, with Pedro Henrique's early strike cancelled out, to Montanier's frustration, by a Sylvain Armand headed own goal.

Rather than lambast the unfortunate Armand, Montanier decried the defending from a free-kick that meant the veteran left-back was left alone to deal with the danger.

And he wants a more solid defensive performance in this week's battle for regional supremacy.

"We feel that the point we took at Nantes can only be a good result if we win against Lorient," Montanier said. "It's easier said than done. This match is an opportunity and I hope we're going to seize it."

Montanier added, on the Rennes website: "This is never a match like any other but the challenge is the same. The rivalry is healthy. We have the desire to be better than our neighbours. Even if they want to please our supporters, once we kick off the players will not think about the derby."

Lorient, on their artificial turf, threatened an upset against Paris St Germain last weekend when they led at half-time, only to concede two second-half goals and lose 2-1 to the reigning French champions.

"Lorient are coming off a good match," Montanier said. "They need the points. They are a team who aren't too far away. They are even ahead of us in terms of passes, crosses and shots. They produced a great first half against Paris.

"I don't think they're in the right position. We are extremely wary."

Rennes-born Sylvain Ripoll began his career with his home-town club, before moving on to Lorient, where he played for many years and became head coach in May.

The Paris St Germain game confirmed Ripoll's belief that his team can climb the table, from their current third-bottom standing.

He wants to see "confidence and calmness" in his players and believes good things are around the corner "if we can reproduce that type of performance".

"Now the challenge is the Rennes match," Ripoll said, "and we have to show we are capable of continuing from where we left off against Paris and show the same."

Ripoll will be without playmaking midfielder Mathieu Coutadeur, who has a hip injury.