Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG) faced their first home league defeat of the season against Rennes as they were defeated 2-0 at the Parc des Princes in their latest outing. Despite their efforts to extend their nine-point lead at the top of the table, the reigning champions were unable to match the intensity and attacking prowess of their visitors.
Toko Ekambi and Kalimuendo Strike as PSG are Outclassed
The French capital was left in shock as on-loan Lyon forward Karl Toko Ekambi struck the opening goal for Rennes in the final minute of the first half. Following Benjamin Bourigeaud’s long pass, Toko Ekambi finished clinically to claim his first goal for the club, and the hosts were jeered at the interval.
To add to PSG’s misery, former PSG academy player Arnaud Kalimuendo scored the second goal for Rennes just three minutes after the restart. Chimuanya Ugochukwu’s delightful low cross was met with a close-range finish by Kalimuendo, and the home fans’ reaction was a mixture of stunned silence and disappointment.
Messi Booed by PSG Fans as He Struggles Against Rennes
Despite Kylian Mbappe’s efforts to penetrate the Rennes’ backline, Messi had an off-day and struggled to make an impact on the game. He was jeered by the PSG fans before the match started and was unable to win them over with his performance during the game.
The boos directed towards Messi were partly due to PSG’s Champions League exit against Bayern Munich, where he was supposed to be the key factor in stopping the embarrassment. He has also been linked with a return to Barcelona, which has added fuel to the fire of the PSG fans’ frustration. As a result, he endured a tough afternoon and couldn’t help PSG save the game.
PSG’s Ligue 1 Title Challenge is Still on Track, But It’s Far from Over
PSG still hold a comfortable nine-point lead over their nearest rivals Lens, but they’ve left the door slightly ajar for their opponents with this defeat. With Marseille winning against Reims later in the day, PSG’s lead could be trimmed down to seven points, and they still have tough games against Lyon and Nice coming up after the international break.
Moreover, Christophe Galtier’s future as the head coach at PSG is uncertain, and if the team has more performances like this, they could be in trouble. Despite the defeat, PSG still remain the favorites to win Ligue 1, but the result has made things interesting, and they’ll need to be at their best in the remaining games.
PSG faced a tough day as they were outclassed by a determined Rennes side. With this defeat, their comfortable lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table has come under scrutiny, and they’ll need to be at their best to maintain their position. On the other hand, Rennes will be pleased with their performance and will take confidence from this victory as they attempt to secure a place in the Europa League.
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