The Lens-Paris match can begin, with monitoring of the mutual calendar, the strengths and weaknesses of each, the meeting in 2026 of the second at the first. It will resemble the remake of Christophe Galtier’s only season on the bench, with a French champion title. When he signed in July 2023 in Paris, Luis Enrique had to take a look at the previous ranking, with PSG ahead of Lens by a single point, which he should not have known at the time.
Franck Haise, who has had other problems since then, was training him and Pierre Sage, now in charge, seems to be reinventing the concept of the surprise team which has the gusto to create a huge sensation.
By correcting Rennes (5-0) this Saturday evening, the European champions allowed this scenario by coming back to within one point of the Northerners, winners earlier in Nantes (1-2). They found color and physique after a few days of rest and a 90-minute absence in Monaco (1-0), last Saturday, their worst outing of 2025.
The awakening of the force, embodied by finally decisive attackers with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia double scorer; Bradley Barcola penultimate passer; Ibrahim Mbaye for his first goal of the season, Gonçalo Ramos for the 5-0 and Senny Mayulu, passer, scorer, does not tell the whole story of PSG-Rennes.
At first we had to suffer a lot, with the Bretons very high, multiplying the sequences of possession and being dangerous in an action which saw the match turn. Matvey Safonov’s save, on a shot from Estéban Lepaul deflected off the buttocks of Willian Pacho, will be greeted as a goal by the Russian goalkeeper, diverting the ball onto his post. On the restart, the Georgian will score his second goal in Ligue 1 and solo (before his double in the 67th), finding in the withdrawal of Habib Beye’s men the mouse hole to light Brice Samba.
Second in Ligue 1 and in the Champions League
She also doesn’t express the nervousness of the Parisians, on yet another Rennes corner, with Vitinha and Kang-in Lee getting confused over the marking, a time of palaver which almost cost a goal. And when the Portuguese reports to the captain the generosity of the South Korean, the Brazilian and the Asian Golden Ball also clash in a sequence rarely seen at PSG in 2025. This is because each point is earned, everything requires vigilance and concentration while a form of relaxation can take hold. The executives don’t like it and Paris did not experience its usual control in midfield for example, displaying permanent delays in duels or counter-pressing.
The first two goals coming from each wing also served as a reminder that overall, the European champions’ play remains hampered by the defection of their full-backs, the two best in the world. While he will not see Achraf Hakimi again before 2026, he still has a chance to get Nuno Mendes back for the last four outings of this rich year, the most significant in its history. It is a bit without solution for Bilbao this Wednesday in the Champions League, with Lucas Beraldo injured and Lucas Hernandez suspended.
Luis Enrique has time to think about it after this convincing second half, one of the best in L1, where we found Bradley Barcola, the real one, after weeks of disappearance, and a solid defense where Safonov gave off positive vibes. Good news among others as Lucas Chevalier will regain his place in the Champions League.
Paris is second everywhere, in L1 and C1, and we never talk about Ousmane Dembélé, his Ballon d’Or, who entered for thirty minutes, extra time included. If one day everything falls into place, he could gain a place in each ranking.
