Rennes - Paris SG in everybody’s mind

On Saturday evening, the reception of Paris Saint Germain by Stade Rennes at the Stade de la Route de Lorient will be one of the highlights of Ligue 1’s second game week. Between a Paris team wishing to recover from their inaugural defeat against Lorient, and Rennes keen to confirm their great success in Dijon, the game should be interesting to follow.

Called to the French team, Yann M’Vila has reunited with some of his future opponents, but he didn’t try teasing his Parisian team-mates. “I can’t provocate them too much, as when they wake up, it will be heavy, the midfielder admitted in the press conference. I wasn’t surprised by their defeat. To realise a big transfer market is not enough to win. They have two arms and two legs as anyone else. But I won’t judge them on this game».
As for Antonetti, questioned by Le Parisien, he enjoys being able to prepare this game “without having the Sword of Damocles hanging over our heads”, after the victory of last week-end. The Rennes manager, who will watch PSG-Lorient during the week, refuses to give any negative judgement about Paris’ omnipresence in terms of transfers. “Paris worked well this summer, it’s coherent, Antonetti judges. With an outsider’s look, I think money was well spent. This season, Paris will be there, for sure”.

The star recruit of Paris’ transfer window, Argentinian midfielder Javier Pastore will not be playing at the Stade de la Route de Lorient this Saturday. Transferred from Palermo, the attacking midfielder was getting prepared to start his season with the restart of the Serie A, at the end of August. Obviously short of form, Pastore will miss Saturday’s game, and will only be ready to play in a few weeks.
Another possible absent, Nenê received a knock to the ankle against Lorient. The former Monaco man is doubtful for Saturday, despite the Parisian club’s optimism. The player’s entourage is much more pessimistic, according to Le Parisien, about his chances to be present for that game.

In Rennes, focus is also on healing the little injuries which have been affecting the professional squad. Having suffered a sprained ankle in Dijon, Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik is a major doubt, according to RMC. As for Yacine Brahimi, missing again this Tuesday morning at training – and forfeit for the gathering of the France U21 national team – he will strive to recover and to be ready for the game.