Patrice LUZI

In the Summer of 2007, Patrice Luzi signed for Stade Rennais at the end of his contract with Charleroi. The former understudy to the goalkeepers at Monaco and Liverpool arrived as back-up for Pouplin, taking over from Revault in that role. With his direct rival having some physical problems, Luzi played 13 matches in the Autumn, and looked reassuring. Whilst he was still seen as second-choice goalkeeper by Dréossi, he soon became first-choice with the arrival of Lacombe as Manager. The new boss wanted to make a break with the old, so he got rid of both Didot and Pouplin. Luzi played all the matches in the Spring of that season, and put in some solid, if unspectacular displays. His performances weren’t enough however to secure him a place in the starting line-up the next season. Douchez arrived in 2008, and the Corsican ‘keeper was progressively pushed out to third-choice in the goalkeeping hierarchy, with N’Diaye taking that spot. By the 2009/2010 season, he had dropped to fourth-choice, and left the club virtually unannounced at the end of his contract in June 2010.