Les Parisiens held at Rennes

At the heart of an exhausting end to the season, Paris travelled to Roazhon Park, where a huge challenge awaited the men from the capital. Because up against them was a Rennes side determined to secure European football next year. Without Kylian Mbappé and Marco Verratti, Mauricio Pochettino started with a previously unseen starting 11. 

The scene was set. It was therefore to be expected that the encounter would start at 1000 miles per hour at both ends of the pitch. Caught out slightly by an early chance for Bruno Génésio's side, Les Parisiens wasted no time in responding, driven forward by a lively Neymar Jr and an audacious Ander Herrera (11', 16'). After gauging the pulse of the encounter, the two rivals stepped up the intensity...

A goal for Doku was flagged offside for Rennes (29'), a goal for Moïse Kean was eventually ruled out because the ball had just left the field for the visitors (40'). The first half then changed shape shortly after. A foul by Nayef Aguerd on Layvin Kurzawa led to a penalty and Neymar Jr stepped up to give his side the lead as they headed in at the break (0-1, 45'+6).

Shaken by Les Bretons as the teams came back out from the dressing room, the Paris squad gave their all to provide answers to this agression. Effort that was complemented by moments of technical brilliance, like the incredible control and strike from Julian Draxler, which deserved better (55').

But despite the combativeness of the Paris defence - especially to deal with a dangerous Doku - it's was from a corner and thanks to Guirassy that Rennes got back on level terms (1-1, 70'). A cruel scenario for Les Parisiens, who were forced to finish the game with a numerical disadvantage following Presnel Kimpembe's sending off (87'). The score remained the same until the final whistle.

Paris Saint-Germain take home a point from this trip to Brittany. The players from the capital will now switch their focus to their Coupe de France semi-final in Montpellier on Wednesday.