Due to the PSG’s poor pitch state, the first game of the new season for the Parisians was moved to Rennes. And, the record shows that Rennes have won 3 of their last 5 matches against PSG at Roazhon Park, including a 3-1 win last season. Also, Rennes happens to be the team which is not afraid to play against the Parisians. In the 21st century, Rennes has won 17 Ligue 1 matches against PSG, more than any other team during this period. And they were on the brink of yet another win, but World Cup winner Ferran Torres prevented that with a brace on his debut in France: Rennes – PSG 2-2.
Even though PSG didn’t lose in the end and even though the current champions have a long season ahead of them, Luis Enrique won’t be happy. First his men lost 1-0 to Lens in the French Super Cup and then he watched his team lose 2-0 until 20 minutes from time. Nothing was working in attack and the best proof of that was Luis Enrique’s substitutes. At half time, when his team was already 2-0 down, the Spanish tactician took both Ballon d’Or winner Dembele as well as Kvaratskhelia.
And what was the last time you saw Vitinha leaving the field while PSG was losing? But that also happened as Enrique was forced to shake up his squad. And it worked when Torres came in. He had two chances and used them both. After only one game, it is clear he will be a great asset to this already strong PSG team.We didn’t have to wait too long for the first goal of the game, but it came from an unexpected side.
Rennes’ Szymanski shocked everyone at the stadium, including own fans with a stunner from 25 meters in the ninth minute. It was good counter-attack from Rennes and Safonov was powerless. PSG took control soon after they conceded but couldn’t capitalize. In fact they didn’t have so many chances at all. Dembele had a rare opportunity for his team in the 37th minutes, but embarrassingly missed a sitter and Rennes scored the second goal just a minute later. Lepaul, who scored 21 goals last season, started a new one with a score against current champions.
Luis Enrique decided to change at halftime already, and new signings Godts and Torres have replaced Dembele and Kvaratskhelia for PSG. 55th minute was crucial for PSG, when home keeper Samba made two consecutive saves. He deflected Doue’s shot from the left and then caught Zaïre-Emery’s close-range shot. It was visible that PSG’s player took a really weak shot and should have done better. But a goal of hope eventually came though the new signing. Fabian Ruiz and Ferran Torres came off the bench and combined for a goal in the 71st minute. Rennes went into a defensive mode and soon enough allowed former Barcelona forward to make the headlines tomorrow in France.
He equalizes at 2-2 with a perfect glancing header from six meters out from a Fabian Ruiz cross on the left. This powerful duo from the Spanish national team will surely create more goals as the season gets going.