Stéphane ZIANI

In the Summer of 1995, Stade Rennais FC was deprived of its designated playmaker since 1992, Gouvennec, who had left to join Nantes. Rennes coaching staff decided to put their faith in Stéphane Ziani, signed from Bastia, as their replacement for this key role. Under Le Milinaire, the French-Algerian had a complete season in the heart of Rennes midfield, providing multiple assists for the strikers André, Grassi and Wiltord. With this elfish build, and his silky skills, Ziani was excellent at his job in marshalling play from midfield, but unfortunately, he wasn’t so adept when it came to finishing, scoring just one goal (the winner in a 2-1 victory over Gueugnon), and was rarely in a position to get on the end of things. After 40 appearances, 37 of which were made in the starting line-up, the player developed by Nantes, played an active role in Rennes’ qualification for the Intertoto Cup. In the Summer of 1996, he departed Brittany to join Girondins Bordeaux after just one season at the club.