League-1

PSG return to winning ways at Rennes following UEFA Champions League thrashing

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Paris St Germain returned to winning ways after beating Rennes 3-1 in Newcastle in the UEFA Champions League.

First-half goals from Vitinha and Achraf Hakimi put Luis Enrique’s side ahead at Roazhon Park.

Amine Gouiri headed home for the home side in the 57th minute, but substitute Randal Kolo Muani quickly restored the visitors’ two-goal advantage.

PSG, who suffered a 4-1 drubbing on Tyneside on Wednesday, made their intentions clear by bolstering Rennes’ back line from the start.

Kylian Mbappe, making his 400th professional appearance, found space in neat pockets on the left and almost opened the scoring with a curling effort that flew just wide.

Superstar forward Mbappe was largely anonymous in midweek but was in the thick of things on Sunday night as he tried to break the deadlock.

And that’s what the French champions managed after 33 minutes thanks to Vitinho’s blockbuster.

The Portugal international picked up the ball just inside the box and produced a stunning dipping effort into the top corner that was caught flat-footed by Steve Mandanda.

The opening seemed to loosen up PSG, who upped the ante and doubled their lead four minutes later.

The creative Warren Zaire-Emery picked up the ball and fired it to the back post where Hakimi nodded in his side’s second goal.

PSG picked up where they left off after the break with a lightning run from Mbappe, which resulted in the winger slipping in a well placed Goncalo Ramos but unable to stroke the ball past Mandanda.

Despite being heavily outplayed, Rennes managed to get on the scoresheet in the 57th minute when Ludovic Blas cut in to pick out an unmarked Gouiri, whose header was headed past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

But any hopes the hosts had of getting back on level terms were dashed almost immediately when a lapse in concentration proved costly.

Hakimi burst forward, slipped past his marker as if he wasn’t there and produced an inch-perfect cross for Kolo Muani, who made up for Rennes’ hard work straight after the restart to make it 3-1.

Kolo Muani had another effort whistled for offside, then PSG had to be alert as Blas looked to add to his assist tally.

The Rennes midfielder employed Lucas Hernandez on the right and produced some dangerous passes into the box that the composed Marquinhos and Milan Škriniar dealt with.

Mbappe conjured one of the mistakes of the season when he rounded Mandanda after a brilliant run, only to fire his shot wide of the gaping goal, but PSG held on for the points and saw out five minutes of stoppage time to claim a convincing goal. away win

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