Stade Rennais will aim to stun defending champions PSG at the Parc des Princes on Sunday night.
Stade Rennais will aim to put their UEFA Europa League exit behind them when they travel to the French capital to take on Ligue 1 champions PSG at the Parc des Princes on Sunday night.
Les Rouge et Noirs are a force to contend with on their day and got off to a strong start against AC Milan in midweek. Despite coming out 3-2 winners on the night, Rennes paid heavily for their 3-0 loss at San Siro to bow out of Europe.
Dominating a team like AC Milan is no mean feat and Rennes will take heart from the performance. Julien Stephan is building a formidable side but inconsistency and a lack of strength in depth continues to plague them.
Rennes could not have asked for a tougher challenge than Paris Saint-Germain on the domestic front. Luis Enrique’s team is 13 points clear at the top of the French top flight standings at the end of 22 games. In contrast, Rennes are seventh, five points off a European spot.
Defeating Nantes will have breathed fresh fire into PSG’s mindset, bracing them against a surprise result this weekend. Despite the saga surrounding Kylian Mbappe, PSG have enough strength in depth to seize the initiative.
PSG have not lost a game across all competitions since last November, when they lost to AC Milan. Having gotten the better of the Rossoneri, Rennes could use it as a springboard to upset the applecart. Add to it the fact that PSG struggled against Nantes, the free flowing Rennes frontline could enjoy some success. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Paris Saint-Germain
PSG were rocked by the news of Kylian Mbappe’s imminent departure earlier this month. The unconvincing display to Nantes could point to life without their star man, but the ability to see the game out will give Enrique confidence.
The Spaniard will be without skipper Marquinhos who was taken off last time around. He did not partake in team training and is a major doubt for the game. He joins fellow central defenders, Presnel Kimpembe and Milan Skriniar on the sidelines.
Layvin Kurzawa and Sergio Rico are also out injured, while Nuno Mendes could make a return. However, it is unlikely that he will be thrust straight back into the playing XI. Enrique should retain his 4-3-3 formation, with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.
The Italian should start behind the back four of Achraf Hakimi, Danilo Pereira, Lucas Beraldo, and Lucas Hernandez. The trio of Lee Kang-in, Manuel Ugarte and Vitinha will form the backbone in the middle of the park, freeing up Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani, and Kylian Mbappe upfront.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Pereira, Beraldo, Hernandez; Lee, Ugarte, Vitinha; Dembele, Kolo Muani, Mbappe
Stade Rennais
Les Rouge et Noirs will be keen to put their European exit behind them and turn their attention to the domestic front. A European spot for next season is well within their reach, and a win at the Parc des Princes will certainly give them the initiative for a solid push.
Julien Stephan will be without the injured trio of Fabian Rieder and Enzo Le Fee should miss out due to injuries. Arnaud Kalimuendo has completed his suspension and should be available, while Bertug Yildirim is also in contention to feature.
Rennes are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Steve Mandanda starting as the last line of defence. He should be protected by the defensive quartet of Alidu Seidu, Warmed Omari, Arthur Theate, and Adrien Truffert.
Benjamin Bourigeaud scored a hat-trick against Milan and should provide the forward thrust from the middle of the park. He should be accompanied by Baptiste Santamaria and Ludovic Blas in the middle of the park. Martin Terrier and Amine Gouiri should start out wide, with Arnaud Kalimuendo playing upfront down the middle.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Mandanda; Seidu, Omari, Theate, Truffert; Bourigeaud, Santamaria, Blas; Gouiri, Kalimuendo, Terrier
Key Stats
- Rennes have won seven of the 29 clashes against PSG since the latter’s takeover by QSI. This is the most by any side in the French top flight, joint top with Olympique Lyonnais.
- Rennes have won four time sat the Parc des Princes during the QSI era. More than any other domestic side in the same time.
- PSG are unbeaten in their last 17 games in Ligue 1, managing this feat for the seventh time in a season in the competition, four times more than any other side.
- Rennes are the in-form side in Ligue 1 at the moment, winning their last six games in a row. This is the best such run of any side currently in the French top flight.
- A win on the night will see Rennes secure four consecutive away wins in Ligue 1 for the first time since 2007.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
The French superstar started on the bench last weekend, and it is unclear if it had anything to do with the news of his departure next summer. Despite his time in Paris winding down, Mbappe is the defending champions’ chief goalscorer and biggest threat going forward.
Leaving for free is unlikely to please the PSG ultras but leading them to yet another Ligue 1 title and perhaps the long-awaited UEFA Champions League triumph could ease the parting. Either way, keeping Mbappe quiet on the night will see Rennes have a solid chance of securing a point or more.
Prediction
PSG 2-2 Stade Rennais
Given the central defenders out injured for PSG, they could struggle to keep the Rennes attack silent for the entire 90 minutes. PSG have the quality and strength in depth, but Rennes will have momentum and will be keen to use the win over Milan as a springboard to finish as high as possible. The champions could be surprised by a side that just wants it more, forcing them to share the spoils on the night.