Follow for all HIGHLIGHTS from the Ligue 1 clash between Rennes and PSG.
Rennes just wants to get the ball as far away from its goal as possible. Neymar had a chance to sneak through, but his first touch betrayed him. PSG pumping in crosses from both flanks, but Rennes defence is determined. PSG’s star power can’t save it as the referee calls time and it is Rennes which pulls through with the win.
Even Messi is unable to unlock this Rennes defence. With just a month to go for the Bayern Munich Champions League clash, this sure will be a cause to worry for Gatlier. Tension rising as a few clashes between the players follwing a few rash fouls from PSG.
Mbappe shifts to the right and he swings a cross to Bernat, who takes a touch and thumps a shot which needed Mandanda to palm it away. PSG stepping on the accelerator.
Messi brought down at the edge of the box, but the referee waved play on as he deems that not to be a foul. Rennes sitting further deep down as the game heads into the crunch minutes.
Rennes is relentless. Doku’s arrival has provided the host with another avenue to run its counter attacks through. A brief pause as Kalimuendo received medical attention.
Desperation time for PSG as another away defeat looms for the defending champion. Doku replaces Doue for Rennes. Mbappe is put through on goal and he blazes his shot wide, with just Mandanda at his mercy. HUGE MISS!
Truffert plays a one-two and gets to the byline and he finds his skipper Traore in space in the box, who smashes it in with his left foot. OUT OF NOWEHRE, RENNES TAKES THE LEAD!!!
Majer gets to strike another freekick. But this time doesn’t get it past the wall. Messi getting a lot of the ball down the right flank. PSG building up momentum.
Doue draws a foul from Sergio Ramos and it is a freekick from a promising territory for Rennes. Meanwhile, Mbappe comes in for Ekitike. Majer’s driven freekick had to be dealt with by Donnarumma, who has been the busier of the two goalkeepers today.
Bernat is being a constant threat down the left. Neymar is dropping deep and probing Rennes open with some clever passes.
PSG loses the ball in the midfield again, but Rennes can’t produce a shot this time. Bernat creates a corner for PSG down the left. Short corner and PSG circulates the ball back into the box and Mandanda has to make a save against Danilo to keep it 0-0.
PSG starts off the second half. The defending champion will be looking to put in a better show this time out.
PSG tries to step up its game in the end stage of the first half. But the home side defends resolutely, particularly against Messi. Just one minute added on and it passes by uneventfully. Half-time and it is 0-0.
Another shot from Rennes and another save from Donnarumma. It is Gouiri this time and the Italian keeper had to dive low to his left to keep that one out. Rennes on the rise here.
PSG is lacking composure, particularly in the midfield. Veratti’s absence is vivid in this lineup as Rennes looks to exploit PSG in transitions.
Rennes looking particularly danger in counter attacks, while PSG is yet to get its act together. Neymar gives the ball away cheaply and Kalimuendo sets off and is fouled and Rennes now has a freekick just outside the box. Donnarumma stays sharp to clear his lines.
Truffert overlaps into space and delivers a sharp low cross into the path of Kalimunedo, who diverted it goalwards. Donnarumma had to be alert to palm it out of dangers way. Positive signs for Rennes.
Vitinha steals a ball from midfield and tries to go for it from long range. Once again, the shot goes flying beyond Mandanda’s goal. PSG continues to shuttle the ball around, without much purpose.
Bernat finds Messi in space outside the box and the Argentine went for left footed curler, which flew high and wide off the target. Good bit of football from PSG.
Messi forced to retreat and win the ball for PSG. A stop in play due to an extra ball on the field. Vitinha steals the ball from Majer and PSG sets off an a counter. But Rennes rushed its resources back in time.
Messi and Neymar try to combine their way through, but Traore was there to steal the ball away. PSG builds up slowly from the back, pushing Rennes’ block back, bit by bit.
Former PSG player Kalimuendo with the first shot of the game. But it is too tame as Donnarumma makes an easy save. Rennes has grown into the game with its full-throttle pressing.
Neymar with an outside-of-the-boot pass to unlock the Rennes defence. But the home defence was aligned correctly to stop it. Both Messi and Neymar are dropping deep to influence play.
Rennes letting PSG have the ball. Despite some high pressing from the home side, PSG move the ball around easily.
And Rennes kicks the game off. PSG in its white kit, while Rennes in the home colours of red and black.
Kylian Mbappe has been left on the bench as Galtier opts for Ekitike up front, with Messi and Neymar alongside.
LINEUPS
Rennes XI : Mandanda; Traore, Wooh, Rodon, Theate, Truffert; Majer, Ugochukwu, Doue; Kalimuendo, Gouiri
PSG XI : Donnarumma; Mukiele, Marquinhos, Ramos, Bernat; Vitinha, Danilo, Zaire-Emery; Messi; Ekitike, Neymar
HEAD-TO-HEAD
PREVIEW
PSG’s domestic challenge continues as it heads up to Rennes, on Monday, with its electric trio -- Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar -- looking set to appear together for the first time since the World Cup.
Rennes, which has been on a strong run this season, riding fourth at the moment, is now plagued with injuries and suspensions, and had suffered a troubling defeat to Clemont in the last game week.
PSG on the other hand was quick to bounce back after a 1-3 defeat to title-chaser Lens, with the returning world champion Messi starring with a goal.
And now with Mbappe returning from his break, PSG’s all-star trio has been realigned, with Brazilian star Neymar returning after a red card-enforced suspension.
The last time these two sides met, PSG managed a narrow 1-0 win, thanks to an Mbappe goal.
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