Strasbourg were comprehensively losing the midfield battle with some of their players not looking like they knew what they were supposed to do – a worrying pattern for Vieira’s Strasbourg this season. It only felt right that Rennes opened the scoring on their very first shot on target. Strasbourg left-back Thomas Delaine left too much time and space for Lorenz Assignon to cross. Lucas Perrin fumbled his clearance with the ball falling to Adrien Truffert, whose well-taken right-footed curler found its way home. Rennes were far from their best, but it was well enough to tame a dismal Strasbourg side.

The Alsatians kept on leaving the initiative to Rennes, without proving much of a threat to Mandanda. Vieira had enough and brought on two centre-forwards, Kevin Gameiro and Lebo Mothiba, at the hour mark to force through an equalizer. Meanwhile, Bruno Genesio’s players were let down by their final touch, meaning the overall quality of the second half was quite low. Strasbourg goalie Matz Sels was however alert to prevent Benjamin Bourigeaud from scoring a direct free-kick and put the game to bed. Gameiro also went close with the half-volley, showing the frailty of the hosts’ one-goal lead.

The visitors eventually found a way back in the game, punishing another spell of complacency from the Bretons. Gameiro’s powerful effort outside the box was badly mishandled by Mandanda and Mothiba was on cue to restore parity. Vieira’s substitutions paid off, whilst Genesio’s had very little impact in the second half. The visitors even finished strongly but nothing could separate the teams in the end. Strasbourg’s position in the league (14th) remains precarious but the Alsatians will take solace in grabbing a point on the road. Rennes’ start of the season keeps on being underwhelming and questions need to be asked whether Genesio is the right man to fulfil the Brittany side’s grand ambitions.

Rennes players ratings

Steve Mandanda, 4

Lorenz Assignon, 6

Warmed Omari, 5

Jeanuël Belocian, 6 – In the absence of Arthur Theate, the youngster stepped up, pocketing Emegha and displaying good passing quality, physicality as well as good awareness in his positioning.

Adrien Truffert, 6

Benjamin Bourigeaud, 5

Nemanja Matic, 5 – The experienced Serbian midfielder produced another quality shift at the heart of Rennes’ midfield, dictating play and losing very few balls, but only in the first half. And he really should keep his composure when dealing with the refereeing team.  His substitution was arguably the starting point of Strasbourg’s resurgence.

Désiré Doué, 4

Ludovic Blas, 4

Arnaud Kalimuendo, 5 – The France U21 international had little on his plate, but to his credit, he showed glimpses of improvement in his holdup play. Replaced by Martin Terrier, who is slowly building his fitness back after nine months on the sidelines.

Amine Gouiri, 3

Strasbourg players ratings

Matz Sels, 6

Marvin Senaya, 5

Lucas Perrin, 4

Gerzino Nyamsi, 4

Thomas Delaine, 3

Ismaël Doukouré, 4

Junior Mwanga, 4

Ângelo Gabriel, 3 – The Chelsea loanee started well, looking like the only Strasbourg player able to make a difference. But his influence rapidly waned. The Brazilian was also outpaced by Truffert for the latter’s opening goal. Did not make it past the hour mark and was replaced by Kevin Gameiro, who was influential in restoring parity in the 81st minute.

Dilane Bakwa, 3 – The former Girondins winger was nowhere to be seen and was of little use to his teammates, losing a staggering tally of 14 balls in the first half alone.

Moïse Sahi Dion, 4

Emanuel Emegha, 4

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Vieira is expected to bring changes to the side that crumbled at the Parc des Princes last Saturday. Chelsea loanee Ângelo Gabriel (18), who was absent from the squad that lost to PSG after picking up a minor hamstring injury, is expected to get the nod from Vieira. It’s welcome news for Strasbourg given the Brazilian winger has impressed for his new side, displaying promising dribbling abilities. L’Equipe understands Dutch centre-forward Emanuel Emegha is set to start up front against the Bretons.

Strasbourg likely line-up against Rennes

Matz Sels – Marvin Senaya, Gerzino Nyamsi, Lucas Perrin, Thomas Delaine – Ângelo Gabriel, Junior Mwanga, Ismaël Doukouré, Dilane Bakwa – Moïse Sahi Dion, Emanuel Emegha

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Terrier’s route back has been long. He has featured for Les Rennais in Ligue 1, coming off the bench late on and then missing a crucial penalty, but he has not yet started for Bruno Genesio’s side since the injury. That will change against Panathinaikos. Genesio has a wealth of attacking options at his disposal and it is Bertug Yildrim who looks like getting the nod up front. Terrier, Ludovic Blas and Benjamin Bourigeaud will play just behind the Turkish forward with Genesio deploying a 4-2-3-1. Arnaud Kalimuendo drops to the bench.

Rennes likely lineup v Panathinaikos

Steve Mandanda; Adrien Truffert, Arthur Theate, Warmed Omari, Lorenz Assignon; Nemanja Matic, Baptiste Santamaria; Martin Terrier, Ludovic Blas, Benjamin Bourigeaud; Bertug Yildrim. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The arrivals of Amine Gouiri and Arnaud Kalimuendo in particular in the summer of 2022 were welcome additions to a forward line that already had plenty of firepower. Kalimuendo signed from Paris Saint-Germain off the back of a highly successful loan spell at RC Lens. The France U21 international scored 21 goals during his time with Les Sang et Or (65 appearances). He has not come close to replicating that form with Rennes (45 appearances, nine goals). 

Rennes’ attack gets another makeover

Bar PSG, Rennes were touted as the most exciting attacking outfit in the league in the 2022/23 season. The absence of Martin Terrier was a blow, but with players such as Lovro Majer, Benjamin Bourigeaud, Desiré Doué and the aforementioned Kalimuendo and Gouiri remaining, there was the personnel to compensate for that absence. 

Rennes, thanks to a late run of form, finished third top-scorers in Ligue 1. Statisically, it was a solid season, and their fourth-place finish backed that up. However, there was the overwhelming feeling that Rennes underwhelmed; their inconsistency largely contributed to these perceptions. 

Les Rennais invested once again this summer. Enzo Le Fée, Ludovic Blas and Fabien Reider were the marquee signings as Rennes’ forward line underwent another makeover, whilst the arrival of veteran midfielder Nemanja Matic added some much-needed nouse in the midfield. Rennes have once again struggled, drawing five of their first nine matches, and losing their last three in all competitions. Their latest loss against FC Lorient leaves them ninth in the table and already nine points off league leaders AS Monaco.

‘Mentally, we aren’t at the level of the club’s ambitions at this moment’ – Genesio

Blas has thus far replicated the form he showed at FC Nantes, scoring three goals in 10 appearances since his arrival. However, he is the exception to a rule of stagnation. Few of the promising young prospects that have arrived at the club in the past couple of years have progressed; many have even regressed. Majer is the clearest example of this. His first season was electric, but he was anonymous in his second campaign at the Roazhon Park. Having dropped down the pecking order, he left in the summer and is now rebuilding his career in Germany. 

The common denominator for these failures, for the lack of progression in this youthful side, is Genesio. The Frenchman’s spell as Lyon manager, or at least the latter part of his reign, has been re-appraised in light of Les Gones’ persistent decline since. Genesio’s future is not yet being called into question, but he is already deploying deflection tactics. “Mentally, we aren’t at the level of the club’s ambitions at this moment,” said Genesio following this weekend’s defeat. 

The former Lyon manager added, “Lots of players don’t realise their potential, and they have to realise it and be more free.” Allowing his players to fulfil their potential certainly falls within Genesio’s remit, but he is currently failing. In his criticism, Genesio also alludes to a club culture that is limiting the club, and Les Rennais have often been accused of having a “small club mentality.” However, with the potential in this youthful and exciting side, as well as the continued investment, Rennes are a club looking to take on a new dimension. Genesio needs to show that he is the manager to take them to the next level, and quickly. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

L’Équipe reports Ezno Le Fée is set to return to the starting lineup as he prepares to play against his boyhood club for the first time in his professional career. The French U21 international should make way for the suspended Nemanja Matic in midfield who started against PSG. The 23-year-old midfielder will not only be hoping to impress against his former club but to stake his claim as a starter for Les Rouges et Noir after only making four starts to date. Baptiste Santamaria is also set for a return to this starting eleven taking the place of Fabian Rieder 

In defence, Arthur Theate is set to miss out due to injury which should result in Adrien Truffert returning to the starting eleven to deputise for the Belgian international defender with Belocian moving into central defence. In attack, things will look familiar with a front four of Ludovic Blas, Benjamin Bourigeuad, Amine Gouiri and Arnau Kalimuendo leading the line. 

Rennes likely XI vs Lorient 

Steve Mandanda – Lorenz Assignon, Warmed Omari, Jeanuël Belocian, Adrien Truffert – Baptiste Santamaria, Enzo Le Fée, Ludovic Blas – Benjamin Bourigeaud, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Amine Gouiri

GFFN | Liam Wraith

In his post-game press conference attended by Get French Football News, the Spaniard said he was happy with how PSG fought back after their St James Park humbling. “But I was happy too after the Newcastle defeat”, added the Spaniard, who evidently maintains his belief that Wednesday’s 4-1 scoreline did not reflect Paris Saint-Germain’s performance.

The former Spain national team manager also praised Vitinha for his performance against Rennes. The Portuguese midfielder opened the scoring with a stunning curling effort. “He is a player who adapts perfectly to our idea of ​​football, a very complete player. He never loses the ball, he can dribble, make assists, score, and he knows what to do depending on the position of the ball. He’s an intense player and he operates at a high level.”

Finally, Luis Enrique spoke of Kylian Mbappé. The France skipper had an eventful game. He showed glimpses of his commanding best with his trademark bursts of pace but he failed to register a single goal contribution. He also missed an open goal after rounding past former France teammate Steve Mandanda. “It’s weird he did not score, but it’s only anecdotal. I liked what he brought in attack and in defence.“

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Les Rouge et Noir were oozing way more confidence in their game plan than Luis Enrique’s team. Stade Rennais were so coordinated in their pressing as well as in their positioning that it looked like PSG would need a spark of individual brilliance to break the deadlock. Such an occasion arrived when Ousmane Dembélé rolled back the years, zooming through the Roazhon Park pitch before finding Vitinha at the right edge of Rennes’ penalty box. The Portuguese stepped over and lashed a stunning curling effort in Steve Mandanda’s top-left corner.

Rennes took a blow and Les Parisiens doubled the lead minutes later. Promising 17-year-old midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery chipped an inch-perfect cross for the unmarked Achraf Hakimi to head home from close range as Rennes left-back Jeanuël Belocian made a mess of the offside trap. The Moroccan looked to have handled the ball in the build-up though. A clinical PSG entered the break with a two-goal lead.

Les Parisiens were in cruise control and should have made it three when Gonçalo Ramos failed to convert a counter-attack engineered by a trademark Kylian Mbappé burst of pace. However, they were too lenient in defending, allowing Ludovic Blas too much time to cross for Amine Gouiri to head home. Rennes’ rebellion was short-lived. The rampant Hakimi again escaped the notice of the Rennes defenders to lay a perfect cross for Randal Kolo Muani, who scored only seconds after replacing Ramos.

PSG regained full control of the proceedings with Rennes looking beaten before the end’s conclusion. Bruno Genesio took advantage of the circumstances by adding some feel-good factor around Roazhon Park with Martin Terrier receiving a hero’s welcome, nine months after a serious knee and meniscus injury. Bradley Barcola and Mbappé failed to swell their team’s lead, but PSG showed enough quality and star power to inflict Rennes their first defeat of the campaign. The Ligue 1 champions have climbed up to third place, two points short of leaders AS Monaco. Rennes remain out of the European places.

Rennes players ratings

Steve Mandanda, 5

Lorenz Assignon, 5

Warmed Omari, 4

Arthur Theate, 4

Jeanuël Belocian, 3 – The 18-year-old’s inclusion was a bold choice from Genesio. Unfortunately, he struggled to match Dembélé’s and Hakimi’s pace and was at fault for the Moroccan’s goal for PSG. Genesio put an end to his agony by replacing him by Adrien Truffert after the hour mark.

Nemanja Matic, 6 – The Serbian midfielder was his side’s best player on the pitch, launching himself into tackles, cutting passing lanes as well as matching the PSG midfielders’ intensity.

Benjamin Bourigeaud, 5

Fabian Rieder, 4

Ludovic Blas, 5

Arnaud Kalimuendo, 5

Amine Gouiri, 6

PSG players ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma, 6

Achraf Hakimi, 7 – As usual, he often bombed forward on his right side, providing Dembélé with the overlap in Rennes’ half of the pitch. He scored PSG’s much-needed second goal minutes after the opener and perfectly set up Kolo Muani for the third. Had he prevented Gouiri from heading home, it would have been a complete performance.

Marquinhos, 6

Milan Skriniar, 5

Lucas Hernandez, 6

Manuel Ugarte, 6

Warren Zaïre-Emery, 7

Vitinha, 7 – With the Portuguese midfielder starting, Luis Enrique’s team is a way more balanced and coherent package, acting as a bridge between the strikers scarcely involved in pressing and the other PSG players. His hybrid role as an advanced left-sided midfielder looks tailor-made for him. The way he attempted, and managed, to find Mandanda’s top corner is a testament to his confidence.

Ousmane Dembélé, 6

Gonçalo Ramos, 3 – The former Benfica man had a hard time tonight. He squandered several opportunities to put the game to bed. Even worse, a loose pass from him enabled Rennes to work their way towards Gouiri’s goal. Replaced by Randal Kolo Muani (7) who immediately got up to speed to provide a poacher’s finish.

Kylian Mbappé, 4 – He stuck to the left touchline in the first half, but he was mostly kept at bay by Assignon. Played as a second striker alongside Ramos and Kolo Muani in the second half, with better results. He’s marginally improving, but he struggled to reach the heights he used us to. Skied a complete sitter after rounding past Mandanda and complaining more often than not to the referee.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

L’Equipe have written a feature on Dembélé’s breakout years with Les Rouge et Noir. At only 18, the Evreux-born winger has taken Ligue 1 by storm during the 2015-16 season by logging twelve goals and five assists in only 26 games played, including a match-winning hat trick before half-time against bitter rivals FC Nantes in the Breton derby. The outlet understands that, before this season, Dembélé had visited the facilities at RB Salzburg when it transpired that then-Rennes manager Philippe Montanier would not rely on him. Stade Rennais eventually turned down the €4m bid from the Austrian side.

After Dembélé had announced himself to Ligue 1 through his eye-catching performances, the player, accompanied by his agents, reportedly met with Liverpool head coach Jürgen Klopp in Paris with a view to bringing the talented Frenchman to Anfield. However, Borussia Dortmund and Stade Rennais then agreed upon €15m pre-contract for Dembélé. The latter pushed for the move to the Bundesliga side to materialize. In 2016, Liverpool eventually signed Senegalese international winger Sadio Mané from Southampton.

Dembélé only spent one season with the Thomas Tuchel-led side before moving to Barcelona for a total package worth €135m.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

The Ligue 1 champions are only fifth in the league after a middling start to the season. AS Monaco are set to retain top spot during the upcoming international break. PSG may fall further in the standings should Stade Rennais – something of a bogey team for Les Parisiens – seal a second consecutive home league win.

Le Parisien reports that Luis Enrique will tweak his aggressive 4-2-3-1 formation that completely crumbled at St James’ Park. The outlet understands that Randal Kolo Muani will start on the PSG bench with France U21 winger Bradley Barcola getting the nod from the Spaniard. The former Olympique Lyonnais is expected to start as a right-sided winger, opposite struggling PSG frontman Kylian Mbappé.

Quite surprisingly, Le Parisien adds that winger Ousmane Dembélé is set to play a more central role as a playmaker, just behind centre-forward Gonçalo Ramos. A former Stade Rennais youth product, Dembélé will make his first return to Roazhon Park after his breakout years with Les Rouge et Noir.

PSG likely lineup against Rennes

Gianluigi Donnarumma – Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Milan Skriniar, Lucas Hernandez – Manuel Ugarte, Warren Zaïre-Emery – Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé – Gonçalo Ramos

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Stade Rennais played Villarreal away at La Ceramica for the second matchday of the Europa League’s Group F. Bruno Genesio’s team were handed their first defeat of the season with Sweden international Alexander Sorloth scoring the only goal of the game. Martin Terrier missed a penalty in injury time for his return.

Before the game, video footage emerged on social media showing several incidents involving Rennes supporters and Spanish police forces. The Ligue 1 side did not let this slide and mentioned they had gathered numerous testimonies as well as findings from the security teams on scene. Several Rennes-based reporters who covered the game added that police forces intentionally created a climate of tension. “Stade Rennais FC express outrage regarding the handling of their supporters before and during the game between Stade Rennais and Villarreal CF“, the statement reads.

It was reported that nearly 1,000 Rennes fans traveled to Spain to watch their favorite team. Unfortunately, the Spanish police forces seem to have ruined the party for too many of them, mostly during the Rennes fans’ gathering near La Ceramica. “The atmosphere was particularly festive and good-natured, without any form of aggression. Despite this, from 6:30 pm to 9:45 pm, the Rouge et Noir community was confronted with brutal and intimidating behavior from certain police forces.”

Rennes will host Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday evening.