The spring is broken. Even Kylian Mbappé, the eternal recourse, could not get his team out of the meshes of the Bretons, logically winners of this match of the 28th day on goals from Karl Toko-Ekambi (45) and Arnaud Kalimuendo (48), a player trained at PSG.

With still nine points ahead of Lens (2nd) and ten over Marseille (3rd), who play in the evening (20:45) in Reims, Christophe Galtier's team should not let slip the title, which would allow him to overtake Saint-Étienne, ten times champion.

But it is no longer Ligue 1 that thrills the Qatar Sports Investments club. The season seems to have ended in Munich ten days ago, where PSG measured the superiority of Bayern (1-0/2-0), in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Last year Paris also stopped at this stage in C1. The anger had been more boiling, given the scenario, the team having collapsed in Madrid after dominating three halves out of four (1-0/1-3).

In the next match against Bordeaux, won 3-0, Neymar and Lionel Messi had been copiously whistled by the Park.

No bronca

No comparable bronca on Sunday, the supporters seem resigned. But the Argentine of course has some whistles at the announcement of the composition of the teams, or when he played badly a good ball (45 + 2, 55).

Rennes goalkeeper Steve Mandanda speaks in front of Kylian Mbappé and defender Birger Meling (r), on March 19, 2023 at the Parc des Princes © FRANCK FIFE / AFP

After this new performance without relief of the world champion, and the defiance of the Park, it becomes more difficult to see him renew his contract, which ends in June.

After this new disappointment, PSG may have to think about rebuilding its team around Kylian Mbappé, captain in the absence of Marquinhos.

But as in Munich, "Kyky" remained helpless. Steve Mandanda won their only duel (40). The Rennes goalkeeper also released the best Parisian strike, signed - once is not customary - Marco Verratti (84).

President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and his football adviser Luis Campos, who appeared appalled in the stands after the second goal, have a job to do.

The Parisian leaders can meditate on the example of Arnaud Kalimuendo, still a former of the house, scorer against his colors. They let him leave this summer for Rennes, after having loaned him a season to Lens, and preferred to bet 35 million euros on Hugo Ekitike, author once again of a disappointing entry.

Kalimuendo, the blow of the ex

Admittedly, for this match Galtier had to line up an experimental defense.

Rennes striker Arnaud Kalimuendo (c) between Parisians Fabian Ruiz (l) and El Chadaille Bitshiab, on March 19, 2023 at the Parc des Princes © FRANCK FIFE / AFP

Deprived by injury of four centre-backs, Marquinhos, Sergio Ramos, Nordi Mukiele and of course Presnel Kimpembe, the coach persevered in his three-man hinge with a kid at his post and two old briscards displaced.

El Chadaille Bitshiabu (17) played left centre, Danilo Pereira, accustomed to going down a notch, held the axis, and left-back Juan Bernat inaugurated a role of right centre.

The Paris rearguard cracked on a fine opening from Benjamin Bourigeaud, where Karl Toko Ekambi eluded Bernat and Danilo to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma with a cross just before the break.

And as soon as the takeover Kalimuendo made the coup of the ex.

With this prestigious success, Rennes climbs back to 5th place ahead of Lille, four lengths behind Monaco.

After taking only one point from their last two games, Bruno Genesio's team has relaunched itself well in the race for Europe.

Rennes is decidedly successful against PSG: it is the fourth victory of the Red and Blacks on the last seven clashes in L1 against the club of the capital.

Rennes striker Karl Toko Ekambi (r) has just opened the scoring against PSG, on March 19, 2023 at the Parc des Princes © FRANCK FIFE / AFP

Apart from the Messi case, the fans did not let go of the team during the 90 minutes, except for a short five-minute strike at the beginning of the second half, to remind that without them there is no atmosphere.

Even at the final whistle, after a short bronca, the Auteuil stand timidly applauded its players, as if resigned to this mediocrity...

© 2023 AFP