Toulouse vs Stade Rennais FC preview - Casanova out to avoid "disaster"

Toulouse coach Alain Casanova has warned his players it would be "a disaster" if the club are relegated this season.

Toulouse are two points and one place above the Ligue 1 relegation zone following a run that has seen them win just one of their last eight matches.

It has resulted in Casanova setting his players a target of claiming 18 points from the final 14 games, believing a total of 43 will be enough for survival.

Ahead of Saturday's game with Rennes at the Stadium Municipal, Casanova said: "There was one goal at the start of the season, and that is to have the best season, so we said 'let's go for Europe'. Let's not be shy.

"But above all the goal is to be one of the 17 teams that remain (in the division) at the end of the season.

"There is a statistic that shows that with 12 wins no team has ever been relegated (Toulouse have seven).

"So now we must take a minimum of 18 points. Well, there are 14 matches, we need to take 18 points.

"Today it is not only the position of each player who is in danger, but every person loving this club that provides the means to come to the stadium to support us.

"So I hope the players assume and are aware of the responsibilities that are theirs because if we were to be relegated it would indeed be a disaster."

Casanova is at least boosted by the return of Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro after the defender helped Ivory Coast win the African Nations Cup on Sunday.

"His return can be a springboard as he arrived back on Thursday in a totally euphoric state of mind," added Casanova.

"He will show a lot of desire and have a fresh mind. He is a player who will bring a positive note and wake up our little group.

"In the locker room, when the results are not there and the players are not in good humour, he will wake them up a little. It will be interesting."

Rennes' recent record is worse than that of Toulouse as coach Philippe Montanier's side have failed to win in their last eight league matches, claiming just three points.

Rennes are at least in a respectable 12th position and eight points above the bottom three, but Montanier knows the tide has to turn to avoid any late-season fight for survival.

"We can have a good end to the season if we start winning, but if we fight to survive it can be long so we must be prepared." said Montanier.

"Since the beginning of the year we have only taken three points out of 15, so there is urgency. Be aware of the situation - it will be a fight to the end."

In defence Mexer remains sidelined with a leg injury, but Cheikh M'Bengue is fit after suffering with illness earlier in the week.