Paris Saint-Germain salvaged a dramatic 2-2 draw away to Rennes after fighting back from two goals down. Substitute Ferran Torres scored a second-half brace to rescue a point for the French champions in a match full of twists, as reported by The Guardian.
Manager Luis Enrique admitted there had been "a big difference in rhythm" between Rennes and Paris Saint-Germain in the first half. That observation prompted a double change at the break, with Torres and Mika Godts, a combined €100m signing, replacing Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Why was Paris Saint-Germain struggling early on?
Rennes expertly exposed Parisian vulnerabilities from the start. Sebastien Szymanski opened the scoring with a sliced effort from outside the box. Esteban Lepaul, Rennes' top scorer last season and in contention for a place in Zinedine Zidane's France squad, doubled the lead by beating goalkeeper Matvey Safonov. The poor pitch condition at Roazhon Park, which forced a last-minute switch from the Parc des Princes, did not help Paris Saint-Germain's technical game.
The Breton club, financially robust under the Pinault family's ownership, demonstrated why they are considered the best of the rest in Ligue 1. Under manager Franck Haise, back after a difficult spell at Nice, the team never looked second-best, contrary to pre-season expectations. New signings like Charlie Cresswell, arriving from Toulouse, and midfielder Adrien Thomasson, signed on a free after a standout season at Lens, added immediate solidity.
How did Ferran Torres change the game?
The introduction of Ferran Torres at half-time completely altered the match's dynamics. The Spanish forward, part of a €100m package with Mika Godts, pulled a goal back shortly after coming on from a Fabián Ruiz assist. Ruiz was decisive again, providing another assist for Torres' equalising close-range header. Luis Enrique emphasised the mentality required to keep winning: "If you think about what you’ve won, you won’t win anything else. You have to show every day that you are ready."
Paris Saint-Germain also handed a Ligue 1 debut to Maghnes Akliouche, a €50m signing. The Parisian bench boasted nearly €150m worth of attacking talent, a firepower that ultimately paid off. The defence played its part too, with Willian Pacho making a goalline clearance in the dying moments to secure the draw.
What is the impact of the current absentees?
This match comes amid an injury spell for Paris Saint-Germain. Bradley Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye and João Neves are currently sidelined, as confirmed on our injuries page. These absences affect tactical choices and squad management early in the season. The squad's depth, visible on our squad page, remains a key asset for navigating a busy schedule.
The point earned at Rennes keeps Paris Saint-Germain in the mix at the top of the table, which you can check on our standings page. Paris's next challenge is a home fixture this weekend, where they will need to perform without several key players.
