PSG v Rennes Live Commentary & Result, 19/3/23, Ligue 1

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	PSG PSG	38	27	4	7	89	40	+49	85	L D W W W
2	RCL Lens	38	25	9	4	68	29	+39	84	W W W W W
3	OM Olympique Marseille	38	22	7	9	67	40	+27	73	L L L W L
4	REN Rennes	38	21	5	12	69	39	+30	68	W W W W L
5	LIL Lille	38	19	10	9	65	44	+21	67	D W W D L
6	ASM Monaco	38	19	8	11	70	58	+12	65	L L L D W
7	OL Olympique Lyonnais	38	18	8	12	65	47	+18	62	L W W L W
8	CLE Clermont	38	17	8	13	45	49	-4	59	W W L W D
9	NIC Nice	38	15	13	10	48	37	+11	58	W W D L W
10	FCL Lorient	38	15	10	13	52	53	-1	55	W L L D W
11	SR Reims	38	12	15	11	45	45	0	51	L L D L W
12	MON Montpellier	38	15	5	18	65	62	+3	50	W L W D L
13	TFC Toulouse	38	13	9	16	51	57	-6	48	W D D D D
14	BRE Brest	38	11	11	16	44	54	-10	44	L W W W L
15	STR Strasbourg	38	9	13	16	51	59	-8	40	L D D W W
16	NAN Nantes	38	7	15	16	37	55	-18	36	W L L D L
17	AJA Auxerre	38	8	11	19	35	63	-28	35	L D L L D
18	ACA Ajaccio	38	7	5	26	23	74	-51	26	W L L L D
19	TRO Troyes	38	4	12	22	45	81	-36	24	D L D L L
20	SCO Angers SCO	38	4	6	28	33	81	-48	18	L W D L L

That concludes our commentary of the Ligue 1 fixture between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes! We hope you’ve enjoyed it!

PSG are back in action on April 2, when they host Lyon. Rennes play again on April 1 when they welcome Lens to Roazhon Park.

A goal in either half is enough for all three points for Rennes, who make it back-to-back wins against PSG for the first time since 2009. It’s a deserved result for Genesio’s side, who weathered the early pressure and remained tight and organised in defence before hitting their opponents with pace, directness and clinical finishing. Toko Ekambi and Kalimuendo worked extremely hard in and out of possession and took their opportunities well, while chances squandered by Mbappe and Messi - in combination with a fantastic performance from the veteran Mandanda - keep Paris off the score sheet for the first time in eight matches; since a 1-0 loss to Rennes in January.

90' + 7' FULL-TIME: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 0-2 RENNES.

90' + 5' Paris have conceded at least one goal in eight of their last nine games in Ligue 1 before today, as many as in their previous 18 matches this season.

90' + 4' The fourth official indicates six minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.

90' + 2' The referee allows play to continue after a moment and a word with the VAR, who has decided that a handball was not committed during Wooh's clearance. Messi flashes in PSG's corner from the right but Mandanda makes a crucial, clean catch on his goal-line.

90' Ahead of a PSG corner, the referee halts play for a VAR check on an earlier passage of play. It appears as though Wooh had cleared a cross from the right using his arm, which could be given as a handball.

88' Zaire-Emery gets his signals crossed from an advanced position on the right wing, with his delivery not quite a cross or a shot. Instead it dribbles slowly to the near post for the goalkeeper to collect, with Mbappe frustrated at the lack of service.

86' Verratti plays a hopeful pass into the penalty area for Vitinha but it’s overhit and sent directly into the arms of the awaiting Mandanda.

84' ANOTHER FANTASTIC STOP! Mbappe finds Verratti inside the penalty area, with the Italy international in enough space to take a touch to set himself before hitting a dangerous, curling effort to Mandanda’s left-hand post. The goalkeeper goes flying across his line and gets a big glove to the shot, turning it behind in the process.

82' Mbappe chips a dangerous ball to the far post from a position close to Mandanda’s goal but Meling does just enough to turn it behind for a corner despite heavy pressure from the lurking Ekitike.

W. Zaïre-Emery

Yellow Card

80' A frustrated Zaire-Emery brings Theate down from behind and sees a yellow card shown in his direction.

H. Traoré

D. Spence

78' Rennes send on Traore, whose experience is invaluable in this situation. He takes Spence's spot.

I. Salah

A. Kalimuendo

78' Salah gets a chance to stretch his legs with 12 minutes left, replacing Kalimuendo.

B. Santamaría

L. Ugochukwu

78' Santamaria comes on for Ugochukwu as Genesio looks to close out the game.

76' Spence looks to clip a pass through the crowd of bodies on the edge of the 18-yard box for Kalimuendo but Donnarumma races off his line to beat the striker to the ball.

74' Messi curls a cross to the far post from a central position but Mbappe’s audacious scissor-kick attempt fails to put the ball on target from close range.

72' Messi whips a shot towards goal from 20 yards out, receiving a slight deflection from Bourigeaud on its way through but Mandanda is equal to the effort, punching it away strongly with two fists.

A. Gouiri

D. Doué

71' Gouiri is sent on for Doue with just under 20 minutes left as Rennes look to add fresh legs to the pitch.

70' Bourigeaud and Kalimuendo work a corner-kick short, looking to retain possession for as long as possible. With just 20 minutes left to go Genesio’s side will be looking to keep everything in front of them and deny their opponents any opportunity to counter-attack.

68' Close! Zaire-Emery’s careless pass ahead of his own penalty area allows Doue to win the ball back before passing it to the left for Toko Ekambi. After cutting inside and riding a challenge the winger fires a shot at goal but it narrowly misses the target.

66' Mbappe plays a pass around the corner for Zaire-Emery, who manages to stay wide before playing a low cross to the near post. It’s cleared away bravely by Theate before the referee blows his whistle for offside on PSG.

64' Bourigeaud puts his head in a precarious place, attempting to disrupt Vitinha’s volleyed control. The captain is successful in his mission despite the unorthodox method, winning a set-piece for a kick to the forehead 20 yards from his own goal.

62' Sanches finds space down the left wing and puts a cross through the gap between Spence and Omari but Ekitike fails to prepare for the delivery as it runs across the striker and behind for a goal-kick.

60' Genesio is the coach with the most wins against Paris in Ligue 1 under the Qatar ownership era (5), just ahead of Christophe Galtier (4). Of the managers who have faced PSG at least five times over that period in the league, Genesio has the best winning percentage (45 per cent - 5/11 – D1 L5).

58' Having made a number of changes, it appears as though PSG have shifted from a three centre-back system to a 4-3-3. Zaire-Emery and Mendes occupy the full-back roles either side of Pereira and Bitshiabu, while the trio of Verratti, Sanches and Vitinha will look to supply Messi, Mbappe and striker Ekitike.

Renato Sanches

Juan Bernat

56' A forward-thinking change for PSG sees Sanches come on for Bernat.

H. Ekitike

Fabián Ruiz

56' Ekitike is also brought on with four minutes to go before the hour. Ruiz is recalled to the bench.

53' Messi stands over the free-kick alone but his cross - clipped towards the six-yard box - is eventually scrambled away by the head of Ugochukwu.

C. Wooh

Yellow Card

52' Wooh is now shown a yellow card for a handball, used to prevent Vitinha's pass from getting into the penalty area. The infringement gives PSG a set-piece 26 yards from goal just to the right; a perfect location for Messi.

50' Ruiz plays a pass towards the centre of the pitch for Mbappe, who immediately moves the ball forward for Mendes. The wing-back gets into the penalty area where he’s taken out by Wooh’s sliding challenge with the referee initially pointing to the penalty spot but after a brief word with his linesman, the call is offside on the PSG player in the build-up, which gives Rennes a free-kick.

L. Ugochukwu

Assist

48' Ugochukwu's decision to pass instead of going for goal himself is the right choice and he's credited with an assist as a result.

A. Kalimuendo

Goal

48' RENNES DOUBLE THEIR ADVANTAGE! 2-0! There’s no celebration from former PSG striker Kalimuendo, but there’s no doubt he’ll be pleased to give his side a bit of insurance - netting just two minutes after the restart! Verratti’s giveaway in midfield allows Bourigeaud to play it forward for Ugochukwu, who gets into the penalty area and plays an unselfish pass across the face of goal for Kalimuendo to tap in!

46' Rennes get the match restarted from the kick-off!

W. Zaïre-Emery

T. Pembélé

46' A half-time change for PSG sees Zaire-Emery replace Pembele.

With a number of injuries to contend with, Galtier does not have the usual attacking options at his disposal from the bench. The bright Zaire-Emery could come into the match to help facilitate the transition from defence to attack for PSG, while Ekitike would be an option if the hosts are still behind past the hour mark. Rennes are already down a substitution due to Truffert’s early injury but they have quality to call upon to help hold the lead, with captain Traore and the skillful Majer both waiting in the wings.

A goal on the stroke of 45 minutes gives Rennes the advantage at the interval, leading PSG narrowly after a tightly contested opening period. It should come as no surprise that the hosts dominated the possession statistics, however Galtier’s side took a while to get going, eventually troubling the Rennes defence more as the half wore on. Both teams looked to expose the gaps between wing-back and centre-back, with Messi and Mbappe linking up on a couple of occasions to present the France international gilt-edged chances; all squandered in large part due to the brilliance of Mandanda. Great play at one end would set up Toko Ekambi at the other, with the striker controlling Bourigeaud’s long pass perfectly before slotting past Donnarumma.

45' + 2' HALF-TIME: PSG 0-1 RENNES.

B. Bourigeaud

Assist

45' It's a perfect pass by Bourigeaud to set up the game's first goal - with the captain picking up an assist.

K. Toko Ekambi

Goal

45' RENNES TAKE THE LEAD! 1-0! It’s a straightforward pass from Bourigeaud, whose pin-point accurate delivery finds Toko Ekambi inside the penalty area. The winger takes it down with his chest before lashing a vicious shot that beats Donnarumma at his far corner!

44' Theate looks to release Toko Ekambi down the wing but Kalimuendo also comes across and denies his team-mate the necessary space to run into as a miscommunication slows down what could have been a promising attack.

42' Messi cuts inside from the right and plays a pass into Vitinha’s feet looking for the one-two but Wooh uses his strength to win the ball cleanly and end the attack.

40' ANOTHER STOP FROM MANDANDA! PSG again take advantage of aerial passes, with Messi chipping the ball over Wooh for Mbappe. The PSG captain gets into the penalty area before firing a powerful shot high at the goalkeeper, who volleys the effort up into the sky before catching it at the second attempt!

38' Bourigeaud is again tasked with taking the set-piece but his free-kick is met on the six-yard line by Pereira’s pressure-relieving clearance.

37' Spence is tripped up from behind by Ruiz, who gives away a free-kick in a good position for a cross.

36' Bourigeaud’s beautiful pass into the channel is picked up by Toko Ekambi, who is forced wide by Pereira before chipping a cross towards the penalty spot that’s immediately cleared.

34' Vitinha’s inch-perfect pass splits Meling and Theate and plays Pembele into the penalty area but the ensuing strike is again covered well by Mandanda.

33' GREAT PLAY BY MESSI! Ruiz looks for the early pass, launching the ball over the Rennes defence for Messi, who latches onto possession and spins to evade Wooh before firing a low shot that is smothered by Mandanda.

32' Spence executes a number of stepovers on his way into the penalty area but he’s unable to fool Mendes, who steps in with perfect timing to dispossess the wing-back and win a goal-kick.

30' Theate gives the ball away in midfield which forces Wooh into a foul on Messi. PSG look to take the free-kick quickly but Mbappe is halted on the left-hand side, denied entry into the penalty area by Omari, who stands his ground.

28' Rennes have kept a clean sheet in their last two away games in Ligue 1 (1-0 v Nantes, 0-0 v Auxerre) after conceding at least one goal in each of their previous 22 (37 goals). They have not been on a better such run since January 2021 (3 games).

26' GREAT SAVE! A turnover in possession leads to a quick counter-attack, with Ruiz and Messi combining well down the right. The Argentina international cuts inside and plays a superb pass through the lines for Mbappe, whose attempted chip hits Mandanda in the face and stays out!

24' Again Verratti plays a long pass over the top of the defence from deep in midfield, with Mbappe able to hold his run this time. The forward gets into the penalty area ahead of Omari but the defender manages to close down the angle well and force a wayward strike.

22' Mbappe puts the ball in the back of the net after latching onto Ruiz’s prod forward after a Verratti pass and beating Mandanda from close range but nobody celebrates as the linesman raises his flag immediately for offside - keeping the score level.

20' Bourigeaud’s outswinging corner towards the near post is cleared immediately by Ruiz but sent right back to the set-piece taker. He delivers a second effort into the penalty area hoping for better aim this time but Theate’s header sends the ball harmlessly over the crossbar.

18' Both Messi and Mbappe drop deep into midfield in order to release Mendes down the left wing but the pass is hit with a bit too much pace, sending it behind disappointingly for a goal-kick.

16' Messi and Ruiz work a number of intricate passes in a tight area ahead of the penalty area but the Argentina captain’s eventual off-balance shot is deflected wide for a corner.

14' Rennes have found early success with early balls hit down the flank for Toko Ekambi, with the space between Pembele and Bernat a real trouble spot. The PSG defence will have to communicate well in order to stop the early threat as the visitors possess dangerous pace down the wings.

12' Bourigeaud fires the corner into the penalty area looking for Wooh but Pereira is first to the delivery to clear it away.

11' Toko Ekambi shows off his great skill to ease past Bernat inside the penalty area but his shot from close range is blocked behind by the well-placed Bitshiabu.

10' Theate clips a lovely pass over the top of the defence for Doue, who controls the ball well before driving to the byline. The wing-back manages to squeeze a low cross into the penalty area despite pressure from Mendes but Toko Ekambi’s sliding attempt at goal is closed down well by Pereira, who then wins a free-kick for his troubles.

8' A lax pass from Bitshiabu on the edge of his own 18-yard box allows Toko Ekambi to win the ball high up the pitch but the striker drags a tame effort wide of the goal after riding two challenges to try and find a pocket of space.

7' It’s not the start the visitors would have hoped for, struggling to hold onto the ball in the early stages as PSG come forward once again. Genesio’s side will have to hold their shape intently and force play out to the wings if they want to give themselves a chance, while attacking clinically on the counter.

B. Meling

A. Truffert

5' After valiantly attempting to carry on, Truffert will be unable to do so. He's being replaced by Meling after just five minutes.

4' Truffert has come back onto the pitch after a bit of treatment and is attempting to run off the earlier injury, which did look quite painful. Genesio has a replacement warming up on the sideline however; just in case.

2' Worrying signs early on for Rennes, as Truffert has gone down holding his foot after blocking Pembele’s cross. It appeared as though the left wing-back’s foot gave way under him and bent awkwardly, which necessitates a medical check.

1' PSG get the match underway from the kick-off!

Rennes make three changes of their own from a 0-0 draw with Auxerre last Saturday. Santamaria and Majer are dropped to the bench for Omari and Doue respectively, while Ugochukwu is in for Gouiri.

PSG make three changes from the XI that beat Brest 2-1 eight days ago. Sergio Ramos and Carlos Soler miss the match due to injury, allowing Bernat and Vitinha to start in defence and midfield respectively. The final change is required due to a change of shape, with Bitshiabu getting the nod ahead of Zaire-Emery.

RENNES SUBS: Dogan Alemdar, Joe Rodon, Jeanuel Belocian, Birger Meling, Hamari Traore, Baptiste Santamaria, Flavien Tait, Lovro Majer, Amine Gouiri, Ibrahim Salah.

RENNES XI (5-3-2): Steve Mandanda; Adrien Truffert, Arthur Theate, Christopher Wooh, Warmed Omari, Djed Spence; Desire Doue, Benjamin Bourigeaud, Lesley Ugochukwu; Arnaud Kalimuendo, Karl Toko Ekambi.

PSG SUBS: Sergio Rico, Alexandre Letellier, Renato Sanches, Warren Zaire-Emery, Ismael Gharbi, Hugo Ekitike, Ilyes Housni.

PSG XI (5-3-2): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Timothee Pembele, Juan Bernat, Danilo Pereira, El Chadaille Bitshiabu, Nuno Mendes; Marco Verratti, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha; Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi.

With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at how the two sides are lining up - starting with our hosts!

Yesterday’s win for Lille puts Rennes back outside the European places looking in, with three points against Paris Saint-Germain enough to lift Bruno Genesio’s side back into a Europa League spot. The visitors have been in shaky form of late, picking up seven out of a possible 15 points - scoring four and conceding four during that run.

A fifth league victory in a row would leave table-topping PSG 12 points clear of Lens in second, though it will be anything but straightforward for Christophe Galtier’s side at the Parc des Princes today. The hosts have only managed one win in their last four meetings with Rennes (D1, L2), scoring just twice in that time.

Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Ligue 1 fixture between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes!

PSG v Rennes Live Commentary, 20/3/23

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