Rennes 3-1 PSG: Rennes stun PSG ahead of Champions League Play-off clash

Paris Saint-Germain is set to take on sixth-placed Stade Rennais at the Roazhon Park on Matchday 22 of Ligue 1 McDonald's. The Parisians who just delivered their best display of the season in their dominant 5-0 victory against Marseille in Le Classique last weekend.

For tonight's game, Luis Enrique made very few changes to his starting lineup, despite Paris' upcoming Champions League Play-off clash against Monaco. The three changes in the team made by the Spaniard are the return of Morocco international Achraf Hakimi, Georgia international Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ukraine international Illia Zabarnyi. The return of Hakimi who was suspended last week against Marseille will see Warren Zaire-Emery slot back in midfield next to Vitinha and Joao Neves.

Additionally, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué will lead the front line for Paris tonight.

Paris Saint-Germain's starting XI: Safonov; Zabarnyi, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Hakimi; Warren Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Joao Neves; Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, Doué.

Rennes' starting XI: Samba; Brassier, Rouault, Merlin, Nagida; Camara, Romgier, Al-Taamari, Szymanski, Nordin, Lepaul.

Rennes sank Paris at the Roazhon Park

The first big chance of the game was for the hosts as they won the ball back high up the pitch, but Esteban Lepaul's long range effort hit Matvey Safonov's left post. Rennes opened the game with a lot of intensity, making it hard for Luis Enrique's team to build from the back after 10 minutes.

A fastbreak led by Ousmane Dembélé following Rennes' corner saw Doué completely miss his one-on-one against Brice Samba who easily saved his attempt. Both teams played with an offensive style of play and managed to create many big opportunities but it was Rennes who landed the first blow in this game through Al-Taamari after 34 minutes.

The first half ended with the hosts holding a one-goal advantage, however, Paris was in control of the ball and created many chances to score, but Rennes who put a lot of intensity proved to be a worthy opponent in the first 45 minutes.

A massive mistake from Illia Zabarnyi led to a thunderous break led by Nordin, but the winger saw his effort go just wide of Safonov's right post (46'). The European Champions were more dominant in the second half but failed to score, they were eventually punished by Esteban Lepaul after a corner to make it 2-0 (69'). However, Ousmane Dembélé reduced their deficit less than two minutes later, setting up a thrilling ending to this game (71').

The visitors launched themselves in an all-out attack and saw Gonçalo Ramos and Bradley Barcola's massive chances being denied by Brice Samba and his defenders. Ultimately, Rennes seemingly killed all hopes of a comeback from PSG with another devastating counter attack as Embolo scored the third goal for the hosts (82').

Up next, Paris will travel to the south of France to face AS Monaco in the first-leg of the Champions League Play-offs on Tuesday evening.