Stade Rennais – Paris Saint-Germain: Comfort In The Familiar (1-3)

Eyes would be on Paris Saint-Germain this weekend to see how they would recover from their midweek humiliation away to Newcastle. Ligue 1 has often been the soothing balm for stinging results on Champions League nights, and thanks to their strong possession play, PSG pulled off another therapy session in Rennes.
Tactical analysis and match report by Nick Hartland.

It was a typical summer for Bruno Génésio’s Rennes, as the annual exodus saw the likes of Jeremy Doku and Lovro Majer leave for significant fees. This is the business model that Rennes thrived by, but significant departures always run the risk of significant disruptions. Undefeated in the league but with five draws and only two wins, Rennes was yet to thrill. 

Génésio fielded a 4-2-3-1 shape with elder statesman Steve Mandanda behind the youthful backline of Lorenz Assignon, Warmed Omari, Arthur Theate, and Jeanuël Belocian. Nemanja Matić and Benjamin Bourigeaud were at the base of midfield with Fabian Rieder in a more advanced role. In attack, Amine Gouiri and Ludovic Blas as wingers with Arnaud Kalimuendo as the lone striker.

Luis Enrique was reluctant to accept the extent of the defeat to Newcastle stating that the game did not “at all reflect the scenario of . . .