LONDON, Feb 14 (Bernama-PA Media/dpa) -- Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 title hopes suffered a blow with a 3-1 defeat by managerless Rennes at Roazhon Park on Friday, reported PA Media/dpa.
Luis Enrique’s side moved back into top spot ahead of Lens last weekend with a 5-0 hammering of Olympique Marseille, their seventh success in a row in the league, but they were swiftly brought back down to earth in Brittany.
Mousa Al-Tamari gave Rennes a half-time lead and, although Ousmane Dembele pulled one back straight after Esteban Lepaul had made it two midway through the second half, it was the home side who found another goal through Breel Embolo.
It was a dream first outing as interim head coach for Sebastien Tambouret, who was given the reins after Habib Beye was sacked on Monday following a run of four defeats in a row.
Achraf Hakimi returned to the PSG line-up after missing the victory over Marseille through suspension while Dembele, who began his career with Rennes, was honoured ahead of the match following his Ballon d’Or success.
It was the hosts who made the brighter start, though, and they were unfortunate not to take a sixth-minute lead when Lepaul struck the right-hand post with a shot from outside the box.
Brice Samba in the home goal was called into action in the 12th minute to deny Desire Doue, while there were chances for both sides in the 32nd minute.
Matvey Safonov produced a fine save to keep out a shot from Quentin Merlin, and PSG broke down the other end, where Samba again stood tall to deny Dembele.
Two minutes later, Rennes took the lead thanks to a moment of individual quality from Al-Tamari, who let fly from outside the box and found the bottom corner.
Joao Neves sent a shot off target as PSG sought a response but it was the home side who led at the break, and they doubled their advantage with 69 minutes gone.
Sebastian Szymanski’s corner was headed into the net by Lepaul only for Dembele to respond with a header of his own two minutes later to give the visitors hope.
Substitute Goncalo Ramos almost made an immediate impact but Samba stepped up again for Rennes with a crucial save, and they gave themselves breathing room once more with nine minutes to go.
Djaoui Cisse played in Ludovic Blas who crossed for Embolo to secure the points.
--BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa
