Paris Saint-Germain finds themselves at a crisis point after Rennes overwhelm the Parisian outfit at the Parc de Princes.
Christophe Galtier’s team fell apart as they were tactically dominated by Bruno Genesio’s Rennes side, featuring goals from Karl Toko Ekambi and Arnaud Kalimuendo.
Genesio adopted a daring approach in his first-half strategy, opting for a defensive line across his midfield setup which attracted long balls to the dangerous forwards, Mbappe and Messi.
Despite a spell of first-half Parisian pressure, at 45 minutes, moments after the interval, Benjamin Bourigeaud threaded a ball in behind the PSG defence and to Karl Toko Ekambi who converted to put the hosts 1-0 up.
Rennes capitalized on the advantage and piled the pressure on a PSG side that was struggling to manage defensively against the visitors’ pressure.
At 48 minutes, Bernat lost the ball in a dangerous area, leaving Ugochukwu in acres of space to send Kalimuendo, a PSG youth player, through on goal to smash Rennes to a 2-0 lead.
Crunch time for Paris Saint-Germain
After the second goal went in, PSG collapsed as their forwards received no service, unable to offer any attacking prowess whatsoever.
Galtier’s team almost converted in the dying embers of the match but for a string of great saves from Rennes goalkeeper Mandanda who prevented any attempt at a reaction.
Rennes deservedly took the 3 points in what was a historic victory in Paris.
Meanwhile, an inquest will begin at the Parc de Princes as this loss compounds PSG’s situation following their Champions League exit to Bayern Munich in the quarter final.
