Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) maintained their impressive start to the Ligue 1 season with a convincing 3-1 victory over Rennes at the Parc des Princes on Friday. The match saw Bradley Barcola shine with a brace, helping PSG regain their attacking spark after a slightly subdued period.
PSG had previously shown incredible attacking form, scoring a remarkable 13 goals in their first three games of the season. However, their recent performances hinted at a decline in firepower. Fortunately, against Rennes, PSG displayed signs of a return to their dominant form.
The win pushed PSG to 16 points, establishing a commanding three-point lead over their closest challengers, Olympique de Marseille and Monaco, at the top of the table.
Despite squandering some early scoring opportunities, PSG finally broke the deadlock in the 30th minute. A swift counter-attack saw Ousmane Dembele cleverly set up Barcola, who calmly curled the ball into the net for the opening goal.
Barcola’s tenacious battle with Rennes defender Leo Ostigard became a defining feature of the match. The French attacker’s influence was evident again in the 58th minute. A powerful shot from Barcola struck the woodwork, and South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in reacted quickly to head in the rebound, doubling PSG’s lead.
PSG extended their dominance in the 68th minute when Achraf Hakimi’s precise pass found Barcola making a run towards the far post. The French striker made no mistake, slotting the ball past the Rennes goalkeeper for his second goal of the night and a 3-0 lead.
Rennes, however, managed to pull one back through a penalty in the 75th minute. Arnaud Kalimuendo sent Steve Mandanda the wrong way from the spot, giving Rennes a glimmer of hope. PSG’s defense suddenly appeared vulnerable, and the visitors sensed a comeback.
Rennes pressed forward and Alidu Seidu came close to scoring in the 87th minute. His initial shot was blocked, but the ball fell back to him, and he struck the ball powerfully towards the goal. However, the goal was ruled out as Seidu was deemed to have handled the ball in the build-up, effectively ending Rennes’ brief comeback attempt.
The victory cemented PSG’s position at the top of the table, demonstrating their continued strength and dominance in the Ligue 1 title race. The team’s impressive performance, coupled with Barcola’s standout performance, provided a strong statement of intent from PSG as they strive for another successful season.
