PSG fails to register a shot on target throughout game against Rennes Meanwhile Lionel Messi played alongside Neymar Jr and Mbappe.
Mauricio Pochettino’s team fell to a shocking two-goal defeat at Rennes on Sunday, handing Lionel Messi his first defeat for PSG.
PSG had won all eight of their initial Ligue 1 matches, but goals from Gaetan Laborde and Flavien Tait either side of half-time condemned the league leaders to defeat.
Messi began alongside Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in an all-star attack, while Angel di Maria was also in a forward-thinking XI, but the French capital side failed to register a shot on target throughout the game due to the bluntness in the final third.
Rennes had only won one of their previous five Ligue 1 matches and were in 14th place going into this match, but they deserved their three points against a wasteful PSG.
Pochettino had made just one change from the squad that defeated Manchester City 2-0 in a Champions League match last week, with di Maria replacing Ander Herrera in a 4-2-3-1 configuration.
In the first half, the visitors were banging on the door, missing numerous chances to open the scoring and put themselves in front of the game.
Rennes’ early pressure and intensity caused PSG problems in the first 20 minutes, but Pochettino’s side soon proceeded to carve out the best chances.
Midway through the half, Neymar was responsible for squandering a golden opportunity when the ball bobbled kindly for him at point-blank range, but he was unable to aim his shot on target.
Moments later, it was Kylian Mbappe who failed to convert a wonderful opportunity after losing his footing and failing to locate the target while through on goal.
PSG came within inches of scoring, and Messi was unlucky not to score his first goal in Ligue 1 when his near-pinpoint free-kick ricocheted off the crossbar and bounced to safety.
Laborde gave the hosts the lead on the stroke of half-time, making Les Parisiens pay for their wasted opportunities.
Kamal Sulemana, who was outstanding throughout, sent a tricky cross from the left flank that caught Nuno Mendes at the back post, with Laborde appearing to receive the final touch as the ball sailed past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Laborde gave the hosts the lead on the stroke of half-time, making Les Parisiens pay for their wasted opportunities.
Kamal Sulemana, who was outstanding throughout, sent a tricky cross from the left flank that caught Nuno Mendes at the back post, with Laborde appearing to receive the final touch as the ball sailed past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Despite having the opportunity to regroup at halftime, the hosts extended their lead fewer than 20 seconds into the second period when Tait wandered into the box unmarked to double the lead.
The visitors were unsettled and unable to regain the rhythm that they had threatened in the first half, with the majority of their attacks consisting of long-range tries.
Mbappe had the ball in the net with a fantastic run and finish, but the goal was rightfully called off due to offside in the build-up.
With less than 20 minutes left on the clock, Messi missed a free-kick inches wide of the goal, adding to his anger.
With 10 minutes of normal time remaining, VAR overturned a Rennes penalty because PSG full-back Achraf Hakimi had won the ball before making contact with the attacking player.
That would have added insult to injury, but PSG were left licking their wounds after their stunning loss. Bitter of it all, PSG fails to register a shot on target.
