PSG vs. Rennes: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Ligue 1 Game

Paris Saint-Germain welcome Stade Rennais to Parc des Princes on Friday with the chance to move one point behind Ligue 1 leaders Olympique Lyonnais ahead of Les Gones’ clash with AS Monaco on Sunday night.

The French champions are in improving form, having won their last four games in all competitions, and they will be hunting a third consecutive league success against the Bretons.

Laurent Blanc’s men have not beaten Rennes in their last two attempts, so they will be keen to end what has become a small run of defiance. However, Philippe Montanier’s side are not in great form themselves, having not won in Le Championnat since early December.

Considering that PSG have a trip to Lyon’s Stade Gerland coming up after Rennes, Les Parisiens must beat the Breton outfit and put pressure on Hubert Fournier’s Alexandre Lacazette-less side in Monaco.

Here are some key issues and decisions that will shape Friday’s Ligue 1 game. 

Will Marquinhos Keep His Place in the PSG XI?

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Brazilian defender Marquinhos has featured four times for PSG since the start of 2015. Each time, he has started in his secondary role at right-back. Blanc’s men have kept three clean sheets in those four games, and the talented 20-year-old centre back is a key reason for that newfound solidity.

First-choice right-back Gregory van der Wiel missed last Sunday’s 1-0 win over AS Saint-Etienne with a toe problem, but he will likely be back in time for the visit of Rennes. Even if the Dutchman is fit enough to play, though, should he get the nod over Marquinhos?

The Selecao star has clearly had a stabilising effect on an otherwise uneasy PSG back four, and the best way to guarantee a tight defence at present, it seems, is by involving the No. 5.

Blanc should seriously consider benching an out-of-form Van der Wiel for Marquinhos at this time. 

Is Paul-Georges Ntep Fit Enough to Start for Rennes?

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Rennes have shown themselves to be a Jekyll and Hyde team so far this season in Ligue 1 with a superb run of form getting them up as high as fifth in the table before falling away to their current 10th place. The defence, having already conceded 29 goals, is among the league’s weaker back lines.

What is very clear when watching Rennes is that Montanier’s men are a totally different side when star man Paul-Georges Ntep is in the starting XI than when he is not.

The Franco-Cameroonian sensation is a phenomenal talent, and Rennes without him are a very average side. Add the 22-year-old to the team, though, and they immediately become a more dangerous proposition.

Without Ntep, PSG will not be too worried about Rennes. However, if he is fit enough to play after recently returning to training after injury, then Blanc and his players could have a few problems on their hands. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Punishment

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Late in PSG’s 1-0 win away at Saint-Etienne last Sunday, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was only given a booking for a shocking challenge on Romain Hamouma.

According to Le Parisien's Arnaud Hermant (in French), the Swede’s automatic one-match ban picked up with that yellow card could now be extended.

Referee Ruddy Buquet is expected to file an addition to his match report, mentioning the Ibrahimovic tackle on Hamouma, which means that the Ligue de Football Professionnel’s disciplinary committee can take additional action over it in Thursday’s meeting.

If the LFP decide to punish the talismanic No. 10 further, he will likely miss the Rennes clash and the crucial trip to Lyon next weekend on top of the Coupe de la Ligue semi-final he is already missing in Lille. 

Which Rennes Side Will Turn Up?

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As mentioned earlier, Rennes have blown extremely hot or extremely cold in Ligue 1 so far this season.

Friday’s clash depends on which Breton side turns up and whether or not Montanier can break them out of their current slumping form.

Les Rouges et Noirs have conceded 14 goals in their last six league games. Going to Parc des Princes with such a leaky back line is far from ideal.

However, Rennes actually boast a good record in the French capital over the past few seasons.

The Bretons have won two of their last three visits to Paris, including their 2-1 win there last season on the same day the capital outfit celebrated their second consecutive title. Extend that further, and they have won four of their last seven trips to face PSG, losing just once.

Can Rennes make it three away wins out of four in the Qatari era?

All statistics are thanks to Ligue1.com.