Messi suffers first PSG defeat at Rennes
Lionel Messi suffered his first defeat as a Paris Saint-Germain player on Sunday as their perfect start to the Ligue 1 season ended with a 2-0 loss at Rennes.
The Argentina star smacked the cross bar with a free kick in the first half at Roazhon Park before Gaeyan Laborde volleyed Rennes ahead, just before the break with his league-leading sixth goal.
Flavien trait struck less than 20 seconds after half time to double the lead, with Kylian Mbappe seeing a goal ruled out for off-side as Rennes snapped PSG’s eight-match winning run in the league this term.
“We didn’t start the match well but we played the best 25-30 minutes of the season. It is a shame we didn’t score. We conceded two goals that were hard to take”, said PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino.
PSG lost in the league for the first time since April, when they were beaten 1-0 at home by last season’s eventual champions Lille.
“In general, i’m satisfied we created a lot of chances. Rennes scored with their first and the goal had a big emotional impact”, said Pochettino.
“I don’t like to lose, there’s a bit of anger. To go 2-0 down for a good period. We are disappointed to have finished up what we had. It leaves us a bit bitter and disappointed”.
Messi lined up alongside Neymar, Mbappe and Angel Di Maria for just the second match, making only his second league start for PSG after missing the past two league games with a knee injury.
