Rennes vs PSG
Watch Rennes vs PSG full match replay and highlight.
This is a match of France Ligue 1 2023/2024, Matchday 8.
Kick off: 18:45 UTC Sunday Oct 8, 2023.
Referee: Benoît Bastien, France
Venue: Roazhon Park, Rennes
Rennes vs PSG Full Match Reports
Paris Saint-Germain resurged victoriously, commanding a resounding 3-1 triumph over Stade Rennais at Roazhon Park, a fortress they had not conquered for over half a decade.
Luis Enrique yearned for an enhanced display from his PSG brigade following their disheartening defeat to Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League. They ignited their quest with an explosive start, led by Kylian Mbappé, who exhibited glimpses of his brilliance as he relentlessly tormented the Rennes defense. Although the home side appeared to weather the Parisian storm as the half unfolded, their defensive resilience crumbled, yielding two goals in a mere four minutes.
The initial strike materialized when Ousmane Dembélé initiated a masterful run from the halfway line, progressing menacingly toward the goal, and then elegantly teeing up Vitinha. The Portuguese midfielder composed himself adeptly before unleashing a top-corner rocket, an exquisite finish just past the half-hour mark. Shortly thereafter, the Parisians bolstered their advantage as Warren Zaïre-Emery elegantly lofted a deep ball into the box, where Achraf Hakimi, unmarked, nodded it home.
Bruno Génésio fervently sought a retort from his Rennes contingent after an uninspiring first half, and they duly delivered. High-pressing tactics near the pitch forced a turnover, culminating in Ludovic Blas delivering an enticing ball into the six-yard box, seamlessly met by Amine Gouiri’s head. Enrique, ever proactive, aimed to thwart any Rennes resurgence by introducing Randal Kolo Muani, who promptly repaid his manager’s trust with a goal within a minute of entering the fray, thereby reestablishing PSG’s two-goal supremacy. Kolo Muani found the net once more, but his effort was nullified after Mbappé was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up.
Mbappé was evidently eager to etch his name on the scoresheet but seemed to be trying too hard, sending an attempt from inside the box soaring high. He also displayed frustration towards Hakimi, who opted to shoot rather than pass to him when the forward seemed unmarked. In the end, victory was paramount for Enrique, who had weathered an inconsistent commencement to his Parisian reign. This conquest elevated his win ratio to a respectable 50 percent. Despite their fluctuating fortunes, PSG trails Ligue 1 leaders AS Monaco by a mere two points, while Rennes languish in eighth place, four points adrift of the top quartet.
Noteworthy, Achraf Hakimi was hailed as the Man of the Match, shining brilliantly in the Paris Saint-Germain lineup.