Lionel Messi received any icy reception from certain sections of the home crowd as Paris Saint-Germain suffered a 2-0 loss to Rennes on Sunday evening.
Ligue 1
Result: Paris Saint-Germain 0-2 Rennes
Date: 19 March 2023
Venue: Parc des Princes
Veteran Sergio Ramos and Carlos Soler weren’t fit for selection and missed because of injury as PSG chased down another domestic win to edge closer to the title.
Before the match had got underway, Messi had received a few boos and whistles when his was read out by the stadium announcement.
Rennes were forced to issue a change after just five minutes when Adrien Truffert picked up a knock and needed to be replaced by fellow defender Birger Meling.
A flowing move from the host arrived as Lionel Messi cut-inside from a turnover high-up the pitch and set-up Kylian Mbappe on goal, but the Frenchman’s chipped shot didn’t pose danger.
Former Olympique Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda came to his side’s aid before the break when he parried a flying volley by Messi following smart footwork to the offensive area.
Rennes were ahead on the stroke of halftime when Cameroonian Karl Toko Ekambi brought down a precise delivery in the area and slammed a powerful shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
A shake-up from the home team at the start of the second period had Warren Zaire-Emery introduced and Timothee Pembele taken from the field of play.
The travelling brigade extended their advantage early from the break when Arnaud Kalimuendo connected with a cross-field ball in the area and finished from close-range.
PSG didn’t enjoy any decent moment in either defence or attack and for large parts struggled to get in-behind their counterparts who were content on the low-block and play on the break.
This structure set out by the visitors limited the big-spending PSG’s forward momentum and evidently witnessed Rennes clinch victory to enhance their top-three objectives.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
