Flick explored an alternative setup during training, shifting Jules Kounde into central defence, a role he has not regularly occupied in recent seasons, while deploying Ronald Araujo at right-back.
On Monday, Rennes announced they had sacked Habib Beye after a run of five games without a win in all competitions, which included an exit from the Coupe de France. Beye averaged 1.53 points in his 36 Ligue 1 matches, the fourth-highest tally, but with the club sixth in the table, he was surprisingly dismissed. The Senegalese coach held the second-highest win percentage (44.4% - 16/36) in the top flight with Rennes, behind only Bruno Genesio (49.5% - 49/99).