Rennes put brakes on Paris

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The key moments
On paper, Rennes looked like a good place to be going to given Paris Saint-Germain had won their last seven competitive visits to Roazhon Park, but the hosts had lost just one of their last 12 Ligue 1 matches...

The 30,000-strong capacity crowd saw a high quality contest from the off. Julian Draxler sent a half-volley just over the crossbar (5') and Edinson Cavani actually found the woodwork when he glanced a header goalwards from an Angel Di Maria free-kick (14'). Evenly balanced, it was Cavani who tipped the match the visitors' way when he took full advantage of a mix-up between Damien Da Silva and goalkeeper Romain Salin (0-1, 36')! It meant that Paris had scored at least once in their last 40 Ligue 1 games, equalling the French top-flight's all-time record held by Racing Club de France (1962 to 1964).

Undoubtedly shaken by his mistake, Da Silva was then left in the dust by Kylian Mbappé, who fired into the side-netting after an exhilarating 50-metre burst (38'). Just when the capital club looked like they might add to their advantage, Mbaye Niang pegged them back, swivelling smartly before firing past Alphonse Aréola (1-1, 44') to level with the break looming.

Two Rennes goals at key moments

The game was finely poised, but Rennes disturbed the balance when Romain Del Castillo headed home from close range shortly after the break (2-1, 48'). Niang forced a save from Areola (55'), who then saw Jérémy Gélin hit a post from a corner (62'). There was still time, but Mbappé shot narrowly wide (70') and Salin then tipped over his lob (81'). The Rennes goalkeeper dived full length to frustrate the Paris forward one final time (83') as the scoreline remained unchanged.

Fifteen days after their Trophée des Champions win, Paris Saint-Germain could not find a way through Rennes, and were beaten by the same 2-1 scoreline they inflicted on the Bretons in Shenzhen. Rennes do often make life tough: they're the team that's beaten Paris Saint-Germain the most over the last ten seasons (five wins in 19 games).

With another week of work in their legs, Thomas Tuchel's men will hope to bounce back at home to Toulouse next Sunday (kick-off 21:00CEST).