Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe’s mixed may was not sufficient to save lots of Paris Saint-Germain from one other away defeat, as they fell 1-0 to Rennes on Sunday, shrinking their lead over second-placed Lens to a mere three factors.
PSG began with a formidable attacking duo of Messi and Neymar, bolstered by the introduction of the World Cup’s high scorer, Mbappe, early within the second half.
Despite their offensive energy, the crew had been solely capable of handle one shot on course underneath the torrential rain.
PSG coach Christophe Galtier says he’ll use video evaluation to raised perceive what is going on flawed with the crew earlier than making choices.
“The images will speak for themselves,” he stated, “after that there will probably be selections to make.”
Rennes defender Hamari Traore confirmed learn how to end within the sixty fifth minute with a crisp low shot previous Gianluigi Donnarumma into the underside proper nook.
Messi despatched Mbappe clear by moments later however he determined in opposition to curling the ball previous goalkeeper Steve Mandanda and as a substitute fired over on his two hundredth league look.
Neymar was nameless for many of the sport, turning into extra seen close to the tip to argue with Rennes defenders when it was too late.
PSG was anticipated to line up with Messi, Mbappe and Neymar for the primary time since earlier than the World Cup. But Galtier surprisingly began Hugo Ekitike, with Mbappe on the bench, and with 16-year-old Warren Zaïre-Emery in midfield.
Rennes coach Bruno Genesio’s daring transfer paid off as he chosen 18-year-old Lesley Ugochukwu and 17-year-old Desire Doue in midfield, both facet of Croatia’s Lovro Majer.
Brittany facet Rennes once more proved a troublesome opponent, having overwhelmed PSG to win the French Cup in 2019 and beating PSG at house 2-0 final season.
“We knew we were in for a difficult game and so it proved,” Galtier said. “Rennes was far too comfy in protection.”
Rennes stayed in fifth place as a result of it wanted to beat PSG by two objectives to reclaim fourth on aim distinction from Monaco – and to take action with out final season’s 21-goal high scorer Martin Terrier. He is recovering from a proper knee operation and out for the remainder of the season.
Rennes followers held up a banner with “Martin, all of the Rennes followers are with you,” and chanted his title.
Striker Arnaud Kalimuendo drew the primary save of the sport from Donnarumma within the twenty seventh and Rennes ahead Amine Gouiri referred to as Donnarumma into motion once more late within the first half.
PSG regarded devoid of concepts because it chased the sport and, similar to when it misplaced to Lens 3-1 on New Year’s Day, was dominated bodily and misplaced many of the second balls.
Earlier, striker Wissam Ben Yedder scored a 14-minute hat trick as Monaco routed Ajaccio 7-1.
Monaco opened the scoring within the second minute by central defender Axel Disasi adopted up.
Ajaccio was quickly 2-0 down when midfielder Krepin Diatta tapped in Vanderson’s cross from the suitable.
Algeria striker Youcef Belaïli replied for Ajaccio. But Ben Yedder scored within the twenty first and twenty eighth minutes with neat finishes earlier than finishing his second treble of the season with a penalty within the thirty fifth.
Substitute ahead Breel Embolo added two late objectives.
Prolific forwards
Lille’s strikers clicked in fashion with Jonathan David and Mohamed Bayo every scoring twice in a 5-1 win in opposition to Troyes.
David, who performed for Canada on the World Cup, took his league tally to 12 objectives – degree in second place within the scoring charts with Lorient’s Terem Moffi and one behind Mbappe earlier than PSG’s sport.
Forward Alain Virginius additionally scored for Lille, whereas striker Mama Balde grabbed a comfort aim for Troyes.
Angry followers
Montpellier completed with 9 gamers in a 3-0 house defeat to Nantes marred by some crowd disturbances.
Following a 6-1 defeat at Nice in midweek, Montpellier’s offended followers let their emotions identified by throwing flares onto the sector early within the sport. It was quickly suspended because the referee led gamers off and began once more quarter-hour later.
Things hardly regarded up for Montpellier when Tunisia’s World Cup-scoring ahead Wahbi Khazri was despatched off for a careless problem on 17-year-old Nantes midfielder Nathan Zeze. Deep into first-half stoppage time defender Andrei Girotto put the guests forward.
It obtained worse for Montpellier when striker Elye Wahi was despatched off halfway by the second half. Nantes made probably the most of it with striker Mostafa Mohamed and midfielder Ludovic Blas netting late objectives.
Last-place Angers misplaced 2-1 at house to Clermont, which scored by Kosovo striker Elbasan Rashani and defender Neto Borges. Morocco’s World Cup winger Soufiane Boufal pulled one again for Angers late on.
Toulouse drew 1-1 at house to struggling Brest and Reims drew 0-0 with Nice in a mid-table stalemate.
Lens and third-place Marseille each gained on Saturday.
