PSG will seek to put their Champions League thrashing behind them when they face Rennes on Sunday.
Defending champions PSG were given a rude wake-up shock midweek and will be keen to get their season back on track when they take on Rennes on Sunday night.
Luis Enrique’s men were dismantled by Newcastle United at St. James’ Park earlier in the week, losing 4-1 in the process. Add to it their less-than-stellar start in Ligue 1, and one can see PSG being a pale shadow of who they once were.
Next up are Rennes, who have been PSG’s bogey team in recent years. In fact, Les Rouge et Noirs have won two games on a spin against the visitors and are unbeaten in the last four encounters between both teams.
The home side are unbeaten in their last 11 Ligue 1 games but have emerged as draw specialists this season. In fact, they have won just two of their first seven games, drawing the other five. Roazhon Park has emerged as a difficult place for PSG in recent years and they are likely to once again enjoy a difficult night out.
Both teams are within touching distance of the top and could rise rapidly up the table if results go their way. There is a sense of vulnerability about PSG, which more or less acts as a leveller given the difference in quality between both teams, at least on paper. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on Sunday and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Rennes
🎙 La conférence de presse de @SteveMandanda et Bruno Genesio avant #SRFCPSG est disponible. ⤵️
— Stade Rennais F.C. (@staderennais) October 7, 2023
Bruno Genesio has helped transform Rennes’ fortunes since his arrival at the club in 2021. He guided the club to a fourth-placed finish last season, earning them a spot in this season’s UEFA Europa League.
Rennes made several changes to the side that played midweek in the UEFA Europa League but would recall their top players for the weekend. Martin Terrier and Arnaud Kalimuendo are doubts for the game but the biggest miss will be star midfielder Enzo Le Fee, who is out with a shoulder injury. Rennes have an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from.
A 4-2-3-1 formation has helped them retain control in midfield while also giving them the flexibility to shift from defence to attack when needed. It is likely to be retained against a PSG side that as of yet lacks conviction.
Steve Mandanda should start in goal behind the back four of Lorenz Assignon, Warmed Omari, Arthur Theate and Adrien Truffert. Benjamin Bourigeaud and Nemanja Matic have struck a chord in midfield and will aim to wrest control of the midfield on the night.
The duo’s experience and know-how are key weapons against what is a considerably younger PSG midfield. Ludovic Blas, Guela Doue and Ibrahim Salah will form the creative trio aiming to break the lines and supply Bertug Ozgur Yildirim with goalscoring opportunities.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Mandanda; Assignon, Omari, Theate, Truffert; Bourigeaud, Matic; Blas, Doue, Salah; Yildirim
PSG
Luis Enrique’s men have not started off great this season and appeared to be getting back their groove ahead of the midweek trip to Tyneside. However, Newcastle United, an inferior side on paper, gave them a rude awakening and subjected them to a humiliating 4-1 loss on the night.
Rennes have had PSG’s number in recent times and their attacking prowess should put the visitors’ defence to the test. PSG go into the game as favourites and also have better players pound for pound. However, the visitors are yet to gel together and this is something Genesio can exploit.
PSG will be without Sergio Rico, Marco Asensio and Nuno Mendes. Presnel Kimpembe is not yet at full strength while Juan Bernat and Lee Kang-in are doubts for the game.
Séance de veille de match pour les Parisiens au Campus PSG. 🔛⚽️#SRFCPSG I @qatarairways pic.twitter.com/1Ncm4EiPLB
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) October 7, 2023
Enrique is likely to go with a 3-4-3 formation. Gianluigi Donnarumma should retain his spot in goal despite the Newcastle United hammering and will hope that Marquinhos, Milan Skriniar and Lucas Hernandez provide protection.
Achraf Hakimi and Bradley Barcola should start as the wing-backs and will bomb forward whenever afforded the opportunity. How well the trio can drop back against a mobile Rennes side could ultimately decide the game.
Manuel Ugarte has been a sensational addition to the PSG and will retain his spot in the middle of the park alongside Warren Zaire-Emery. The duo’s youthfulness and energy will compete with Matic and Bourigeaud’s experience in this key area of central midfield. Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe will start in support of Randal Kolo Muani upfront.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Donnarumma; Marquinhos, Skriniar, Hernandez; Hakimi, Zaïre-Emery, Ugarte, Barcola; Dembele, Kolo Muani, Mbappe
Key Stats
- A win on the night will see Rennes win three straight league games against PSG for the first time since 2009.
- Rennes are currently on a four-game unbeaten streak against PSG in Ligue 1.
- Rennes are currently on an 11-game unbeaten run in Ligue 1, the best run of any team in the French top flight at this moment in time.
- A shutout on the night will see PSG keep a clean sheet in three straight league games for the first time this calendar year.
- Since Bruno Genesio took over at the Roazhon Park in 2021, only Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have scored more home goals than Rennes. It is quite the stat given the names who have turned out for PSG in recent years.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
The Frenchman was a shadow on Tyneside and failed to get going when his team needed him to step up. Ligue 1 presents him with an easier battleground but unless the Frenchman is at the top of his game, he could be in for another frustrating night.
As one of the world’s best players, the onus is on Mbappe to step up and help PSG put their Champions League defeat behind them. A terrific player who is nighty on unplayable when in full flow, he will be the key outlet for goal-scoring opportunities for the visitors on the night.
Prediction
Rennes 1-1 PSG
Rennes vs PSG has been a fixture that in recent times has tilted towards the Roazhon Park outfit. A win at this venue should help Enrique end the hoodoo and help rebuild confidence in his side. It promises to be an exciting contest that is likely to end in a stalemate.
