Stade Rennais – Paris Saint-Germain: A Guirassy Header Hurts PSG’s Title Hopes (1-1)

With Lille defeating RC Lens, winning this match was a must for PSG. Despite being unable to press Rennes with consistency, the guests created many chances through wing combinations. Pochettino’s tactical adjustments and an increased intensity by Génésio’s men in the second half almost brought a win for Stade Rennais.
Tactical analysis and match report by Thanos Chelas. 

Last week’s defeat against Girondins de Bordeaux meant that Stade Rennais’ Europa League hopes were considerably diminished with matches against PSG and Monaco coming up. Olympique de Marseille and RC Lens defeats during the weekend, however, would keep the hosts into the fight with a positive result against the capital team.

Paris Saint-Germain were coming from an unimpressive win against an RC Lens team that saw an opportunity for a draw or win slip through their fingers due to some individual mistakes.

With important absences such as Steven Nzonzi and Eduardo Camavinga, Bruno Génésio fielded a team with Hamari Traoré, Damien Da Silva, Nayef Aguerd and Faitout Maouassa as his four defenders. In this 4-4-2 formation, Flavien Tait and Chimuanya Ugochukwu protected the defense while Jeremy Doku and Benjamin Bourigeaud occupied the winger positions. Up front, Martin Terrier accompanied Serhou Guirassy.

Mauricio Pochettino made four changes to his 4-2-3-1 formation, in comparison to the match against RC Lens, replacing Abdou Diallo with Layvin Kurzawa, Idrissa Gueye with Ander Herrera, Pablo Sarabia with Ángel Di María and Mauro Icardi with Moise Kean.

PSG’s wing combinations against G . . .