Renne players celebrate goal

Rennes have been forced to stay in a completely different country from where their Europa League opener will be played this week.

The Ligue 1 side are taking on Austrian outfit Sturm Graz in their first match of the campaign, but they're having to stay in Slovenia.

Renne players celebrate goal
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Rennes are having to stay at a hotel in Slovenia for their match in AustriaCredit: AFP

The game, which is being played on Wednesday evening, is taking place at the same time as the MotoGP Grand Prix in Styria.

And that has led to the area expecting a huge number of people, who are going to be spending a few nights in hotels.

So, those hotels have all been fully booked up, and it seems Rennes had not planned far enough ahead...

Why are Rennes staying in Slovenia?

talkSPORT's European football expert Andy Brassell explained on Hawksbee and Jacobs on Monday: "Rennes are not even able to stay in Austria as they've completely run out of hotels.

"They're having to stay in Slovenia and get the bus to the game."

According to L'Equipe, Rennes are spending three days there for a training camp ahead of their Europa League clash.

The squad will then fly straight back after the match to prepare for their next league fixture against Lyon on Sunday.

Rennes are staying in Maribor, which is just an hour away from the Merkur Arena in Graz, despite being in a different country.

And it does mean they're going to have to get a coach to the game, travelling into Austria from Slovenia.

The game will take place on Wednesday at 8pm UK time.

Wednesday, September 16

  • Ararat-Armenia vs Sparta Prague- 5:45pm
  • Omonia vs Celta - 5:45pm
  • AC Milan vs Benfica - 8pm
  • Bayer Leverkusen vs Celje - 8pm
  • H. Beer-Sheva vs GNK Dinamo - 8pm
  • Olympiacos vs Jagiellonia - 8pm
  • Anderlecht vs Lyon - 8pm
  • Sturm Graz vs Rennes - 8pm
  • Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar - 8pm

Thursday, September 17

  • OFI Crete vs Hoffenheim - 5:45pm
  • Levski Sofia vs Salzburg - 5:45pm
  • Besiktas vs Marseille - 8pm
  • Celtic vs Ferencvaros - 8pm
  • Crystal Palace vs Lech Poznan - 8pm
  • Viktoria Plzeň vs Union SG - 8pm
  • Juventus vs N.E.C. - 8pm
  • Lillestrom vs Torreense - 8pm
  • Real Sociedad vs Bournemouth - 8pm - live on talkSPORT 2

This week's Europa League schedule

The start of the new Europa League campaign means a very busy week of action across the continent.

Rennes' clash with Sturm Graz is one of the many fixtures, with fellow French sides Lyon and Marseille playing too.

From the Premier League, Sunderland return to European football for the first time in 52 years as they face AZ Alkmaar.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth are featuring in Europe for the first time in their history, taking on Real Sociedad in their opener.

talkSPORT 2 will have live commentary of that match from Spain.

And Conference League champions Crystal Palace are also in action, with the Eagles hosting Polish side Lech Poznan.

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