Paris Saint-Germain returned to winning ways in Ligue 1 after thrashing Rennes 3-1 on Sunday evening.
Ligue 1
Result: Rennes 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain
Date: 08 October 2023
Venue: Roazhon Park
PSG made four changes to the side that was held to a goalless draw by Clermont last weekend, as Goncalo Ramos was recalled to join Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele in attack while Warren Zaire-Emery, Manuel Ugarte and Lucas Hernandez were also brought in.
The Parisians were under siege in the opening exchanges, as goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma sparred their defensive lapses after he saved two brilliant efforts by Rennes forward Arnaud Kalimuendo.
However, once Luis Enrique's charges got going, they were devastating in attack as Vitinha broke the deadlock just after the hour-mark with a strike into the top corner after a great run by Dembele, who eliminated at least three players before playing a cross.
PSG quickly doubled their lead four minutes later after Achraf Hakimi headed home a cross by Zaire-Emery at the near post.
The visitors were comfortable towards the end of the first stanza as they managed the game well and went to the break with their two-goal lead intact.
The game opened up in the second stanza and Amine Gouiri reduced the deficit for the hosts 11 minutes into the second stanza with a bullet header from a cross by Ludovic Blas.
PSG had a quick response, as two minutes later Randal Kolo Muani, who had just come on, restored their two-goal lead with a first-time finish after a cross by Hakimi.
Enrique refreshed his midfield with 15 minutes to go, as Fabian Ruiz replaced Ugarte in midfield and the Parisians gained control of the game and could have won by a bigger margin, as Mbappe twice came close towards the end but was denied by goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.
The win took PSG up to third on the table, two points behind leaders Monaco.
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