It’s been a long time since Paris Saint-Germain approached a Ligue 1 match without being the leader. A few hours before the reception of Rennes for the 15th day (kick-off at 9:05 p.m.), the Parisian club is in second place in the ranking, following its defeat against AS Monaco on the previous day (1-0) combined with the success of RC Lens in Angers. The Artésiens, who will play at the end of the afternoon against Nantes, will have the possibility of retaining the lead in the championship in the event of success even before the start of this PSG-Rennes.
But beyond the balance sheet, Luis Enrique’s team will have to show a better face than that displayed against ASM. The Iberian technician had also described this meeting as the “ worst game of the season », thus testifying to the lack of ideas for creation and the numerous inaccuracies in the Parisian ranks. To correct the situation, the former Spain coach will have to compose his 4-3-3 with several absentees. Hit in the ankle at Louis-II, Lucas Chevalier did not train this week and will give way to Matvey Safonov.
Dembélé back in the starting XI?
The opportunity for the Russian to honor his first start of the season with PSG. Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes and Lucas Beraldo – all injured – are absent. Warren Zaire-Emery should again start on the right, while Marquinhos and Willian Pacho will line up in the center and Lucas Hernández will occupy the left side. In the midfield, the usual trio Vitinha-Fabian Ruiz-João Neves could be renewed. As for the attack, Luis Enrique will still have to wait to line up Désiré Doué. Returning to collective training this week, the Golden Boy 2025 is however close to a return to the field, but not for this Saturday evening. Luis Enrique could, however, take advantage of this to revive Ousmane Dembélé at the forefront. The 2025 Ballon d’Or has not started with his club since October 29, in Lorient (1-1). He could be accompanied by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Kang-in Lee, both starters in Monaco.
On the Rennes side, we don’t change a winning team. After a stormy start to the season, the Senegalese coach managed to save his head. Better yet, he was able to turn around Stade Rennais, which remains in five games without defeat in the league (4 wins, one draw). If the performance in Metz was not the most successful, the Bretons were able to show character to leave the Moselle with the three points. Great architect of this success, Brice Samba will once again be in goal. Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Jérémy Jacquet and Lilian Brassier will make up the defensive trio of this 3-5-2. Frankowski and Al-Tamari will occupy the lanes as pistons, while Camara, Rongier (cap.) and Djaoui Cissé will be in the middle. Finally, Breel Embolo and Estepan Lepaul, scorer for the 8th time of the season last weekend, will occupy the offensive animation.
