Season 1994/1995

After two years in the Second Division, Stade Rennais rejoined the top flight under the stewardship of Le Milinaire. The promotion heroes (Huard, Gourvennec, André, Wiltord in the main) chose to stay at the club, despite being widely coveted by other clubs, in order to continue the adventure in the First Division together, and to finally lay to rest the idea of Rennes being a “Yo-Yo” team as the club seemed to keep getting relegated and then promoted on a regular basis. The first half of the season was encouraging, taking 24 points and sitting in 11th position, this despite three heavy defeats away at Lens (0-5), Caen (1-5) and Le Havre (0-4). After the winter break, the Rennais were quickly dispatched from the two cup competitions by Paris Saint Germain and Châteauroux, but were liberated enough to stay up with ease (finishing 13th with 48 points.) The teammates of skipper Denis even went on to offer some fireworks at the Route de Lorient Stadium in the last four home games of the season, hitting 16 goals in the process, with memorable wins against Caen (5-0), Paris (4-0) and then Martigues (5-1). Grassi managed three braces in as many games, and became the symbol of the team.