Paris SG qualified for the final of the Coupe de France, which it will try to win for the 15th time against Lyon on May 25, by beating Rennes on Wednesday (1-0) thanks to a goal from a Kylian Mbappé pugnacious and vengeful.
Mabppé shook the nets
The French international was expected, three days after his exit at the hour mark at the Vélodrome (2-0 victory) and a photo expressing his disappointment with his coach Luis Enrique, who has been cutting back on his playing time since the announcement of his departure this summer to the leaders. Like this fluctuating second half of the season, Kylian Mbappé experienced all the emotions in the first half, thinking of opening the scoring twice before finally finding the fault. First, launched by Ousmane Dembélé in the depth he likes, he was defeated by Steve Mandanda, who diverted his shot onto the bar (12th).
Probably determined to give back to the aggressive Parisian supporters, the former emblematic Marseille goalkeeper then repelled a penalty from the captain of the Blues, who had obtained it by making Omari dizzy (36th).
Mbappé tried to resume as he had done in Brest at the end of October but he was slightly wrong-footed by the ball and let himself fall back on the pitch, disappointed. But the superstar was not discouraged, and a few moments later, shook the net on a new counter-attack, taking advantage of a deflection of his shot towards the far post by Omari, while Mandanda once seemed to more on the trajectory. His celebration with his fist raised then his hand on his chest reflected his relief at making up for his missed opportunities.
Mbappé preserved… by the changes
However, Mandanda had not finished frustrating him, making new parades after returning from the locker room (52nd, 58th). Rennes then had a few situations to equalize, after a first act only punctuated by a save from Donnarumma on an Arnaud Kalimuendo strike (11). The latter, Amine Gouiri and even Bourigeaud on a free kick were too imprecise to really worry the Parc des Princes.
Facing the Rennes waves, coach Luis Enrique recalled Milan Skriniar, Danilo, Marco Asensio and Manuel Ugarte from their warm-up. Mbappé took a suspicious look, burned by his repeated outings for several weeks, but he remained on the pitch.
These changes revitalized the Parisian animation which immediately obtained an opportunity on a relay from Ugarte then a cross from Fabian Ruiz taken too wisely by Asensio (79th). Randal Kolo Muani then failed to find Mbappé in the area after a good ride (85th). The match remained close both physically and technically, without any big chances on either side.
With this victory, PSG remains in contention for a historic championship-Cup-Champions League treble. Luis Enrique, who is experiencing his first season on the Parisian bench, should be just as satisfied with the behavior of his star flocked to number 7, even if she was more discreet in the second half.