Season 1970/1971

Having staved off relegation to the Second Division by the skin of their teeth the previous season, Stade Rennais started the 1970/1971 season with somewhat reduced expectations. No major changes to the squad, with few departures or arrivals. The keystone at the heart of the Rennes defence, Jazdzyk, would be replaced by Chlosta, a dependable back-up, and Betta was recruited to bolster the attack. The departure of the mythical Rodighiero, in October, should also be noted, as well as the arrival of the goalscorer from Lyon, Guy, in January. The Red and Blacks got off to a roaring start in their league campaign, staying unbeaten in their first eight matches, even topping the table between matchdays 6 to 9. A run of three straight defeats then saw them slip down to 5th. Despite a good first half of the season, mostly spent in the top four, Rennes would collapse in the run-in at the end of the season, and fell back to 11th following a disastrous run of 11 matches without a win. They would finish 11th with the 9th best attack, and 8th best defence in the league. The major satisfaction of this season would come in the French Cup, which they would win after a relatively chaotic cup run. There would notably be a dramatic and controversial Round of 16 match against the amateurs of Mantes-la-Ville, and an epic semi-final against Marseille (champions of the day). The 1970/1971 season would thus be saved by Rennes' second success in the French Cup.