The Paris SG fell again, at Rennes
Doubts creep in: Paris Saint-Germain have no idea suffered at Rennes (1-0) their second defeat of the season in the league, but especially the second in their last three Ligue 1 matches, Sunday in the final 19th day.
To death. Unable to contain a team that has lost its two best strikers, Martin Terrier, to a long-term injury, and Benjamin Bourigeaud, suspended, PSG increased the worries born of its game since the resumption of the championship after a break related to the Coupe du. world.
“I’m not worried, we don’t like to lose, but we will work,” promised Portugal midfielder Vitinha.
Here’s Lens (2nd), PSG winner on January 1 (3-1), three lengths behind the leaders, and Marseille (3rd) fifth.
A month before their reunion with Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League (left on 14 February, returned on 8 March), the Paris collective paled in comparison to the well-oiled side of Rennes.
Captain – at the end of contract – Hamari Traoré blew up Roazhon Park by opening the scoring (65th) after a superb job by Adrien Truffert, unsustainable throughout.
Bretons (5th) signed off on a ninth successive win at home, and have beaten PSG three times during their last four visits to the stadium on the edge of Vilaine.
– MNM without spark –
But more than statistics, PSG must pay attention to the level of play, not always relying on genius to turn around a match that started badly.
The post-World Cup reunion of MNM’s Kylian Mbappé/Neymar/Lionel Messi – reformed after the French international’s entry (55th) – did not shine.
For his second match in L1 as world champion, “Pulga” is not weighing in, who scored against Angers (2-0) on Wednesday.
Neymar showed his bad side, losing the ball, such as that which led to a dangerous free-kick from Lovro Majer, and a sullen and defiant demeanor.
On the bench for his return after his staggered holiday following the World Cup, Kylian Mbappé, who was applauded by Roazhon Park in place of the transparent Hugo Ekitike, did not perform miracles like the game against Strasbourg, where he clinched the win (2-1) at the last second.
In his 200th match in L1, the vice world champion in 2022 even devoured a golden opportunity in front of Steve Mandanda (ranked 69th).
But behind the three stars, no one is convincing, apart from “Titi” Warren Zaire-Emery and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
From the peak of his 16 years, the midfielder won duels and ensured recovery of the ball with temperament.
Italy keeper, he stopped everything but goal, where he was alone against the Rennes skipper from Mali.
– Updated three-way defense –
“Gigio” fired in a beautiful volley from Arnaud Kalimuendo on a tense cross from Truffert (22), two free kicks from Majer (33, 56) and a powerful strike from Amine Gouiri (39).
Updated by Christophe Galtier, the three-man defense, reviewed against Angers (2-0) on Wednesday, suffered against Rennes. In front of goal, Achraf Hakimi, who had just entered to replace Nordi Mukiele, was easily obliterated by Truffert’s trick.
Marquinhos, who prefers to play in a two-man game, also struggled. The captain, like some of his colleagues, again experienced unusual technical extravagance.
Galtier has highlighted this inaccuracy in the operand, sourcing according to him in a different preparation level after 45 days of interruption.
But the situation has not improved in this regard.
In the first half, Paris was only dangerous through attacks countered by Joe Rodon (41) and attacks by Lionel Messi, only to be stopped by defenders from Wales when attacking (43).
Paris’ first real chance came from centre-back, a pass from Sergio Ramos for a header from Danilo Pereira blocked by Steve Mandanda (48).
Hugo Ekitike, but three times scorer in his previous four outings, failed to stand out to be served. He repeatedly made poor calling choices and touched very few balls.
It symbolizes the bankruptcy of a French champion who must cool off.
eba/chc/hpa
