PSG 0-2 Rennes: Pressure mounts on Paris Saint-Germain boss Christophe Galtier after shock loss in Ligue 1
The pressure increased once more on under-fire Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier as he watched his side fall to a surprise 2-0 home defeat to Rennes at the Parc des Princes.
In a drab affair, the host dominated possession, but failed to truly threaten or properly test a solid visiting defence, and goals from Karl Toko Ekambi and Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga halted the champions elect from extending their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 12 points.
The first half started slowly as Paris passed around the field in a leisurely manner, but their rigid 3-5-2 shape stunted any sort of fluidity they had in attacking transitions.
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With the quality of attacking talent the Parisians had, and the creativity they had in midfield, the hosts resorted to hopeful punts over the top for Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi to chase, and although some resulted in half-chances for their superstar strikers, none really troubled veteran visiting goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.
Messi’s first attempt on a quarter of an hour was well blocked by a sliding Warmed Omari, while Arthur Theate went close with a header over the top from a teasing Benjamin Bourigeaud delivery at the other end.
Mbappe had the ball in the net on 23 minutes as he raced after Fabian’s floated ball over the top, but the flag denied the Frenchman the game’s opener.
Toko Ekambi opened the scoring against the run of play as it was Rennes’ turn to go direct, and he hared onto Bourigeaud’s ball in behind to sweep beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma, with Danilo Pereira asleep.
It was two just minutes into the second half, as former Paris youth product Kalimuendo-Muinga bundled home from Lesley Ugochukwu’s driving run, as Danilo switched off once more.
The game began to peter out as the Parisian confidence fell through the floor, and the discontent of the expectant supporters was evident for all to see as boos rang around the Parc des Princes.
The Galtier tenure is surely all but over.
TALKING POINT – TOO RIGID A SYSTEM
PSG were lethargic in their build-up, there was no urgency to get the ball out quickly from the defensive third, through midfield and into their world-class attackers.
Instead, they looked to play on the counter-attack, at home against a side sixth in the table at the start of the day, knocking balls over the top for Mbappe and Messi to chase, with no support from midfield runners.
The 3-5-2 shape was all too rigid, stunting any kind of fluidity in attacking transition.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi (R) and Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe react during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade Rennais FC at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris.
Image credit: Eurosport
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – STEVE MANDANDA, RENNES
While they were poor going forwards, Paris did create chances, however poor their quality may have been.
When called upon, the former Marseille and Crystal Palace man was strong, out quickly, and agile enough to deny whatever the desperate hosts threw at them.
Aging like a fine wine.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi (L) fights for the ball with Rennes’ Norwegian defender Birger Meling during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade Rennais FC at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
PSG: Donnarumma 6, Pembele 5, Danilo 4, Bitshiabu 6, Bernat 5, Mendes 5, Verratti 5, Fabian 5, Vitinha 5, Messi 5, Mbappe 5. Subs: Sanches 6, Ekitike 6, Z-Emery 6.
Rennes: Mandanda 7. Wooh 6, Theate 6, Omari 6, Spence 6. Doue 6, Ugochukwu 7, Bourigeaud 7, Truffert 6, Ekambi 7, Kalimuendo 6. Subs: Meling 6, Gouiri 6, Santamaria 6, Traore 6, Salah 6.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
41′: GOOD SAVE! PSG finally break with pace as Mbappe is released over the top, but his drive is straight at Mandanda, who claims at the second attempt.
45′: GOAL! There’s a shock! It’s 1-0 Rennes, and it’s Karl Toko Ekambi! A straight, vertical ball over the top sees Ekambi escape behind Danilo who isn’t tight enough, and he sweeps home beyond Donnarumma!
48′: GOAL! It’s two, and it’s Arnaud Kalimuendo! The hosts came out the blocks looking for an equaliser, but they’ve been hit on the counter by Ugochukwu’s driving run, and Kalimuendo slides in for Rennes’ second!
70′: CLOSE! Ekambi works the ball onto his right and looks to curl one, but it whistles just wide of Donnarumma’s far post.
84′: GREAT SAVE! Mandanda denies Mbappe with a brilliant fingertip save as the Frenchman looked to place it into the far corner!
KEY STAT
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