Paris Saint-Germain conceded a draw against Stade Rennais this Sunday for the 23rd day of Ligue 1 (1-1).
It is in a fairly placid atmosphere that Paris Saint-Germain faces its overloaded schedule. The announcement of Kylian Mbappé’s departure or the always very confusing choices of Luis Enrique are not enough to disconcert the capital club. With their strengths and their imperfections, the French champions are moving forward.
We still had to go back to November 7, 2023 to find any trace of a real poor performance in Paris. The reception of Rennes was thus the opportunity to play a 19th match in a row without a setback. And it was a real test. Because the Breton club has gotten into the habit of coming to break the atmosphere at the Park in recent years.
Paris was scared
It was a time of emotion above all, before the kick-off of this tempting poster. Paris Saint-Germain indeed paid a vibrant tribute to Artur Jorge, legendary coach of the Canal era, under the eyes of an emotional Michel Denisot. A suspended moment which then gave way to a very interesting tactical balance of power. Left on the bench at the kick-off of the match in Nantes a week ago, Kylian Mbappé was present at the kick-off, but his management was still a subject of debate – we will come back to that.
Mbappé and his gang did not have a peaceful end to the afternoon. In pouring rain, Luis Enrique’s men produced a rather coherent performance, with real discipline in recovering the ball. But they were too approximate in its use, unlike their opponent. Because on the other hand, Rennes had real assets to put forward. Four days after a gala success against AC Milan (3-2), Julien Stéphan’s gang played with audacity and intensity to trap these Parisians connected to alternating current. And in a superb individual feat, Gouiri, starting full axis, played with the Parisian defense before deceiving Donnarumma with an elegant outside kick (0-1, 39th).
The second half was just as competitive. It was even driven by the choices of Luis Enrique, who did not hesitate to leave Kylian Mbappé on the hour mark, confirming the idea that the world champion’s notice of departure no longer offers him any protection. Bradley Barcola and a still omnipresent Ousmane Dembélé came out, too, and it took us a long time to understand the logic of these choices.
But Paris finally came to the end of these eye-catching Rennais, not without going through some turbulence (Bourigeaud, 68th). At the end of stoppage time, Gonçalo Ramos, launched into the bath – it is true to say it – caused a penalty before converting it without batting an eyelid (1-1, 90th + 7). Paris thus continues its invincibility series with a 19th consecutive match without defeat. It’s a real performance, on paper. In the content, there will still be many points to correct.
