Brice Samba opens up on relationship with Steve Mandanda | OneFootball

The writing was on the walls for Steve Mandanda (39) when Stade Rennais dipped into the winter market to pluck Brice Samba (30) from RC Lens. The former France international’s time between the posts for Les Rouge et Noirs had come to an end and he has not made another appearance for the club since Samba’s arrival.

It would be easy to see that this situation could have caused some tension between the two goalkeepers. However, during a press conference ahead of the weekend game against AS Saint-Étienne, Samba revealed that the two men get along well.

Samba explained that it is the natural life cycle for their position. “I knew what to expect. I was lucky enough to work alongside Steve in Marseille. We get on pretty well, we get along pretty well. You know… football is like that. Even for me, maybe a new goalkeeper will come, be more efficient and take my place.”

After defeating RC Strasbourg Alsace 1-0 last weekend, Rennes will hope to record a second victory under head coach Habib Beye. The former Red Star manager replaced mid-season appointment Jorge Sampaoli in the dugout prior to the clash with Le Racing.

GFFN | Nick Hartland