PSG vs Rennes: Mbappe Returns but Paris Saint-Germain Loses 1-0

PSG vs Rennes: Mbappe Returns but Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) suffered a disappointing loss on Sunday, January 15th,2023, as they were defeated 1-0 by Rennes in Ligue 1. Kylian Mbappe, who had recently returned from a post-World Cup holiday, came on as a substitute in the match between PSG vs Rennes.
The match was the first time that Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Neymar had appeared on the pitch together since the trio returned from the World Cup. PSG coach, Christophe Galtier, was disappointed with the team's performance, citing a "total absence of a presence in the penalty box" and complaining that the team conceded too many chances and created nothing.

#1. PSG's Unbeaten Streak Comes to an End

Source: The Record

The loss leaves PSG just three points clear at the top of the table halfway through the season, and gives their rivals hope in the title race. Rennes captain Hamari Traore scored the game's only goal in the 65th minute, in the rain in Brittany, to condemn PSG to a second successive away league loss.
Prior to this loss, PSG had gone unbeaten through their first 23 matches this season in all competitions. This latest setback will be a cause for concern for the PSG management, who will hope that the team can quickly rediscover their early-season form.
"I am disappointed with our performance because we conceded too many chances and created nothing," said PSG coach Christophe Galtier. He went on to add, "We will need time and we will have time to work together and get back to playing the same direct style as before."

#2. PSG's superstar attacking trio

Source: Marca.com

PSG vs Rennes: Mbappe Returns but Paris Saint-Germain Loses 1-0. The match was the first time that Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar had appeared on the pitch together since PSG's superstar attacking trio returned from the World Cup. Messi had been afforded an extended holiday after guiding Argentina to glory in Doha, and scored on his return in a 2-0 win against Angers in midweek.
Mbappe, scorer of a hat-trick for France in the World Cup final as they lost on penalties to Argentina, had played in his club's first two games after the tournament before missing their last two as he took a holiday in New York with teammate Achraf Hakimi.
He was expected to start on Sunday but instead began on the bench as the 20-year-old Hugo Ekitike played in front of Messi and Neymar. Without their leading scorer PSG were blunt up front and Rennes goalkeeper Steve Mandanda did not have a save of note to make until he kept out a Danilo Pereira header three minutes into the second half.

#3. Mbappe Replaces Ekitike

Source: The Hindu

Mbappe replaced Ekitike in the 56th minute and did so to applause from the home fans. Yet Rennes went ahead soon after as their Malian right-back Traore swept in a cutback from Adrien Truffert, and Mbappe -- making his 200th Ligue 1 appearance -- then squandered a chance to equalize when he burst through on goal but blazed over with just the goalkeeper to beat.

#4. Neymar and Messi struggle

Source: France24.com

With Neymar again ineffective and Messi not having the expected impact, it was Juan Bernat who came closest to equalizing for PSG with a shot that was tipped over by Mandanda.

#5. Rennes' home winning streak

Source: getfootballnewsfrance.com

Rennes, who recently lost top scorer Martin Terrier for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury, have now won nine successive home league games. They are currently fifth in the table, behind Monaco in fourth only on goals scored after the principality side crushed Ajaccio 7-1 earlier in the day.
Wissam Ben Yedder scored a hat-trick in Monaco's win, while Canada's Jonathan David netted twice as Lille crushed Troyes 5-1 to sit sixth. Lens are PSG's closest challengers after beating Auxerre 1-0 on Saturday for their 10th consecutive home win.
With this loss, PSG will now have to work harder to maintain their lead at the top of the table. The team will have to regroup and come back stronger in their next match. The pressure will be on the team's star players, Mbappe, Messi, and Neymar, to deliver and lead the team to victory.

#6. PSG Must Work Harder to Maintain Lead at the Top

Source: The42.ie

With the Champions League last-16 showdown with Bayern Munich now just a month away, Galtier will hope his attacking trio can rediscover their early-season form quickly. He said, "For eight weeks the squad has been scattered about all over the place, with players learning different ways of playing with their national teams. We had two training sessions this week in which everyone worked together."
In conclusion, PSG vs Rennes was a highly-anticipated match, with the return of Mbappe and the debut of Messi and Neymar together on the pitch. However, the match ended in disappointment for PSG, who were defeated 1-0 by Rennes. The team will have to regroup and come back stronger in their next match to maintain their lead at the top of the table. Besides, they need to prepare for the upcoming Champions League match against Bayern Munich.
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