Paul Le Guen’s best laid plans to prioritize the Rennes match by resting Claude Makélélé, Ludovic Giuly, Guillaume Hoarau and Stéphane Sessegnon in the Racing Santander UEFA Cup match didn’t do the trick as PSG lost 1-0. Unfortunately with Lyonnais, Bordeaux and Marseille playing to scoreless draws, the Parisians missed a glorious opportunity to move up the table and remain at sixth place in Ligue 1.The match started slowly with neither club really making much of a move for the first twenty minutes however it was Rennes who first showed the thirst for victory. Mickaël Landreau’s evening started with his customary top-shelf performance as he denied veteran Mickaël Pagis powerful drive four minutes before the half-hour mark but it wasn’t long before the home side had the lead. Deep into added time Bruno Cheyrou offered up a slow rolling shot from twenty-five meters that barely have the steam to threaten the goal mouth. Mickaël Landreau presumably lost sight of the ball as it went through the defenders and plopped to the back of the net. PSG returned to the pitch after the break with greater resolve particularly as Mateja Kežman entered the match for Stéphane Sessegnon, who was having a off-day, at the fifty-fifth minute. However as much as PSG kept Rennes ‘keeper Nicolas Douchez they could not breakthrough and the match end with a 1-0 scoreline.
PSG return to action this Wednesday against Manchester City, followed-up with Le Mans in Ligue 1 action next Sunday.
