PSG vs. Rennes: Winners and Losers from Ligue 1
It was all too easy for Paris Saint-Germain on Friday night. Beating Stade Rennais, 4-0, at the Parc des Princes without ever breaking a sweat.
In all honesty, it was a poor and, at times, dreadful match, but Laurent Blanc’s team never looked troubled. And it was a sad realisation of the gulf between the champions and the rest of Ligue 1 that even when they looked disinterested, Rennes couldn’t put any sort of pressure on the home side.
"moi devant le match pic.twitter.com/esBm6r5cYm
— philippe (@philousports) April 29, 2016"
Maxwell opened the scoring with a fabulous solo effort, beating two Rennes players before curling the ball into the top corner—Rolland Courbis will not be happy with his team’s defending.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic added two before Edinson Cavani put the cherry on the cake with an injury-time fourth.
Here are the winners and losers from PSG’s 4-0 win over Rennes on Friday night.
WINNER: Javier Pastore, PSG
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All too often this season, if the PSG front three become isolated from the midfield, things can become a little stale, especially when the Parisians are not playing with any urgency.
Javier Pastore continued his march to full fitness on Friday, playing 90 minutes as PSG beat Rennes, 4-0. Lining up in the midfield three, especially at home, is perfect for the Argentine playmaker. He is able to get on the ball, and he is always trying to find that spark of magic.
His passes look to find different angles, he sees the game in a different way and he brings an element of unpredictability that PSG quite often miss. His good play was topped off when Ibrahimovic scored PSG’s third after collecting Pastore’s pass.
LOSER: Benjamin Stambouli, PSG
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Although he was signed to be PSG’s fifth option in the centre of midfield, you sometimes have to wonder what purpose it serves for Blanc to play Benjamin Stambouli at this stage of the season.
The league title is secured, and the club is looking toward the Coupe de France final against Marseille. On one hand, he deserves some time on the pitch, but he also offers little when playing beside Thiago Motta.
Blanc would gain more from naming young Christopher Nkunku in the starting XI and handing the exciting prospect some vital minutes. If Blanc can't trust Stambouli without Motta, why play him at all?
The former Spurs man was brought off for Marco Verratti after 60 minutes; it was yet another forgettable night for the PSG No. 4.
LOSER: Joris Gnagnon, Rennes
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Friday was always going to be a difficult night for 19-year-old Joris Gnagnon. The youngster is more comfortable as a defender but made his first Ligue 1 start in the midfield, playing against the best team in France.
He was fouled in the first half for a tackle on Pastore; things wouldn't get better after the break. Brazilian left-back Maxwell rolled back the years to score PSG’s opening goal, but after beating Mexer on the edge of the box, he then nut-megged Gnagnon before curling the ball into the top corner.
"#PSGSRFC #maxwell #TeamPSG pic.twitter.com/3mzRJTlzWJ
— UltraPsg95 (@Psg95Juju) April 29, 2016"
Gnagnon was then replaced with 30 minutes still to go. Unfortunately for the teenager, it will be a night to remember for all the wrong reasons.
WINNER: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, PSG
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It wouldn’t be a PSG league game if Ibrahimovic didn't make the scoresheet. Another two goals on Friday night takes his tally of the season to 34 league goals. This is turning out to be somewhat of a farewell tour, and the Swede is doing his best to make sure he plays the fans all his hits.
The first came off the side of his foot, stretching out his leg to turn Angel Di Maria’s cross beyond Benoit Costil. The second was a high-driving effort that the Rennes ‘keeper couldn't stop.
Starting the night on 32 goals, Ibrahimovic needs two a game to reach 40, and you wouldn't bet against him on this form.
