In its take-off mission for the knockout stages of the Champions League on Tuesday, PSG looked more like an aerobatic plane than the rocket that coach Mauricio Pochettino promises to guide to the stars.

Its trajectory lacks linearity.

After the inglorious elimination in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France against Nice (0-0, 6-5 on pens), then the demonstration in Lille (5-1) in the league, the Parisians have made a new loop.

Against Rennes, the only team to have beaten them in Ligue 1 this season, last October (2-0), they combined long sterile streaks of possession and clumsiness in front of goal.

But their trajectory ended on a note of optimism, thanks to a new flash of Mbappé (90th + 3) … on the only shot on target from PSG of the match!

The young midfielder of PSG Xavi Simons (g) in the fight with the defender of Rennes Birger Meling, on February 11, 2022 at the Parc des Princes JULIEN DE ROSA AFP

As is often the case this season (Lille, Lyon, Angers, Metz, Lens), the championship leader pulled through thanks to a final thrust in the final minutes, a characteristic which owes as much to his "fighting spirit" as to a plethoric workforce superior to that of all the others in Ligue 1.

The Parisians are sixteen points ahead of their runner-up Marseille.

Rennes remains in fifth place, but Monaco, which receives Lorient on Sunday, can dislodge it at the end of the 24th day.

Vigilant Navas

Before Madrid, PSG did not solve all their structural problems, such as conceding a lot of chances, a cute sin that could cost them dearly in the Champions League.

Rennes tried to take advantage of it, but Keylor Navas deflected Benjamin Bourigeaud's attempt (7th).

He also lacked the Bretons' composure in the last 25 meters to punish PSG.

PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas before the match against Rennes, February 11, 2022 at the Parc des Princes FRANCK FIFE AFP

The capital club also struggled too much to create chances – a fact partly due to the tight block of the Bretons, who only made two mistakes.

The second, on the goal of Mbappé.

On the first, a missed pass from Warmed Omari allowed Mbappé to present himself against goalkeeper Dogan Alemdar, but his attempt found the post (40th).

It will take a lot more for the Parisians, and for Lionel Messi who had no opportunity to strike, to shine against Madrid... and put the ultras on their side.

PSG striker Lionel Messi in the fight with Rennes midfielder Baptiste Santamaria, February 11, 2022 at the Parc des Princes JULIEN DE ROSA AFP

What will happen to the sacred union that such a European meeting supposes?

The first half gave the image of a divided club ahead of their most important game of the season.

The members of the Collectif ultras Paris (CUP) protested, first by deserting their bend for thirty minutes, then with a dozen banners which spared almost no one.

Leonardo must "clear"

They targeted the sporting director Leonardo, who must "clear", the "players without motivation", marketing, training, the women's section which is not "respected" ...

Only "Marquinhos, the example to follow" escaped the rumble from the Auteuil stand, who resumed the encouragement in the second half, as if nothing had happened.

The surprise presence in the "eleven" of the young Xavi Simons, for his first tenure in L1, did not bring extra soul to the Parisians, who fell back into their ways.

Banners displayed by disgruntled PSG supporters during the match against Rennes, February 11, 2022 at the Parc des Princes FRANCK FIFE AFP

PSG monopolized the ball well, but without ideas to create danger, having 70% possession at half-time means nothing.

In these situations, when the collective is struggling to express itself, the tactical plan is limited to waiting for an individual exploit from one of the stars of its workforce.

Mbappé tried solo, but after his attempt hit the post (40th), his goal was canceled for offside (64th).

© 2022 AFP