PLAYER RATINGS | Rennes 1-4 PSG: Rotated Ligue 1 leaders back to winning ways before Champions League return leg against Liverpool | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 25, 08/03/2025

PSG have defeated Habib Beye’s resurgent Rennes side for their Ligue 1 game sandwiched between their Champions League RO16 legs against Liverpool. Bradley Barcola and Gonçalo Ramos offered Les Parisiens a two-goal lead. Lilian Brassier halved the deficit and Ousmane Dembélé scored a quickfire brace to see off the Bretons.

The Match

With a comfortable lead at the top of the Ligue 1 standings and an upending Champions League return leg at Anfield on Tuesday, PSG head coach Luis Enrique logically rotated his squad in Brittany with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé all benched. On his 19th birthday, Warren Zaïre-Emery was given the skipper’s armband and the right-back spot.

Despite a heavy turnover, PSG pinned the hosts in their own half, probing Rennes’ backline for any flaws with João Neves pulling the strings as ever from midfield. On their end, Rennes squandered their rare counter-attack opportunities. Gonçalo Ramos missed the early chance in applying insufficient power at Brice Samba’s near post. The France international goalkeeper would be left stranded as Neves quickly took a free-kick to feed Désiré Doué. The former Rennes Academy product spotted Bradley Barcola’s run and the winger went on to put the ball between Samba’s legs and into the net.

Rennes missed the opportunity to immediately restore parity with Ludovic Blas dragging a shot just wide of Matvei Safonov’s left post. For his first start upfront, Mohamed Kader Meïté went inches away from equalizing as he beat Willian Pacho in the air to rattle Safonov’s crossbar. Five minutes into the second half, PSG got themselves a two-goal cushion courtesy of a great team move. Doué bypassed Rennes’ defense with a great pass for Barcola, played onside by Anthony Rouault, and Ramos was on cue to drive the winger’s cross into the back of the net.

To their credit, Les Rouge et Noir did not give up, as many teams would in this situation. They were handed a corner as Safonov parried Kalimuendo’s effort away. In the resulting corner kick, Blas found Jérémy Jacquet, whose looping backwards header kindly fell on Marseille loanee Lilian Brassier, who made no mistake at close range.

Rennes then look like they may snatch an unlikely draw against the Ligue 1 pace-setters, but they lacked ruthlessness in Safonov’s six-yard box. Substitute Ousmane Dembélé had no such trouble. He first wasted a golden opportunity to restore Paris’ two-goal cushion before redeeming himself with a quickfire double during injury time. A welcome confidence boost before Tuesday’s Anfield showdown in the Champions League.

Rennes player ratings

Brice Samba – 4

Jérémy Jacquet – 5

Anthony Rouault – 3

Lilian Brassier – 5

Lorenz Assignon – 4

The former Burnley right-back has struggled to contain the pace of Barcola and his attacking output left much to be desired.

Jordan James –4

Ismaël Koné – 4

Ludovic Blas – 5

Adrien Truffert – 4

Mohamed Kader Meïté – 4

The 17-year-old had a frustrating yet encouraging first start against the best defense in Ligue 1. He had a lonely shift upfront alongside Arnaud Kalimuendo but failed to capitalise on the rare chances that went his way. He beat Pacho in the air to drive a header on Safonov’s crossbar and rushed himself in the box after a big mishap from Beraldo. Replaced by Kyogo Furuhashi for the last ten minutes.

Arnaud Kalimuendo – 4

PSG player ratings

Matvei Safonov – 5

Warren Zaïre-Emery – 4

Lucas Beraldo – 3

The Brazilian centre-back has not made much of an impression, looking out of pace and made to work hard to contain Rennes’ physical forwards. A miscontrol of his gave Meïté a golden opportunity to restore parity. Marquinhos can rest easy his spot looks locked in.

Willian Pacho – 4

Lucas Hernandez – 5

Senny Mayulu – 5

João Neves – 6

Lee Kang-in – 4

Désiré Doué – 7

Back at the Roazhon Park, the former Rennes Academy graduate was brilliant again. He was instrumental for PSG’s first two goals, giving them a platform to build upon their win. What an invaluable player he has become.

Gonçalo Ramos – 5

Bradley Barcola – 6

GFFN | Bastien Cheval – reporting from Rennes’ Roazhon Park