Rennes vs PSG: Official lineups confirm Dembélé at No. 9, Enrique names strong XI
With four days to go before a crucial European playoff first leg, PSG travel to Rennes looking to seize momentum and widen their cushion in the domestic race. Kickoff is set for 1: 00 pm ET, and both managers have revealed bold, attack-first plans.
The official XIs
Both teams have locked in their starting lineups, offering a clear picture of the tactical chess match to come.
Rennes (4-2-3-1):
- GK: Samba
- Defense: Nagida, Brassier, Rouault, Merlin
- Midfield: Rongier, Camara
- Attacking midfield: Nordin, Szymanski, Tamari
- Striker: Lepaul
PSG (4-3-3):
- GK: Safonov
- Defense: Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mendes
- Midfield: Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Neves
- Attack: Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia
PSG’s shape: a statement 4-3-3
PSG line up in a classic 4-3-3 with the aim of controlling the center and striking quickly in transition. Matvey Safonov retains the gloves behind an athletic back four headlined by Achraf Hakimi’s forward thrusts and Nuno Mendes’ two-way dynamism. The midfield trio of Warren Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, and Rúben Neves promises a blend of ball security and line-breaking passes, a platform tailored to spring the front three early and often.
Up front, Ousmane Dembélé is tasked with leading the line as a central striker, with Kvaratskhelia offering creative risk from the left and Doué bringing directness and dribbling from the opposite flank. The combination hints at verticality through the half-spaces and a willingness to pull Rennes’ center-backs wide.
Rennes under interim guidance
Sébastien Tambouret, stepping in on an interim basis this week, sets Rennes in a 4-2-3-1 designed for compactness without the ball and speed on the break. Brice Samba returns in goal, while the back line of Nagida, Brassier, Rouault, and Merlin will need to manage PSG’s width and the late arrivals from midfield. Valentin Rongier and Camara anchor the pivot, expected to disrupt PSG’s rhythm and feed the trio of Nordin, Szymanski, and Tamari behind striker Esteban Lepaul.
That trio gives Rennes multiple routes forward: Szymanski’s playmaking between the lines, Tamari’s isolation dribbles on the flank, and Nordin’s surges into the box. Lepaul’s recent scoring touch adds a focal point if Rennes can transition quickly and cleanly.
Key matchups to watch
- Hakimi vs. Tamari: Two aggressive wide men who thrive in open field. Hakimi’s overlaps could pin Tamari deep; if Rennes release him early, he can attack space behind the right-back.
- Neves/Vitinha vs. Szymanski: PSG’s double creators against Rennes’ chief connector. Whoever dictates tempo in central pockets may decide field position.
- Dembélé vs. Rouault/Brassier: Dembélé’s movement away from the center could drag Rennes’ center-backs into uncomfortable areas, opening lanes for Kvaratskhelia and Doué to attack.
- Mendes’ overlap vs. Nordin’s tracking: If Nordin cannot match Mendes’ runs, PSG will regularly create 2v1s down the left.
What’s at stake
For PSG, victory would extend a valuable cushion and apply pressure on direct rivals in the title and European qualification races. The timing matters: this fixture arrives just before a high-stakes continental tie, and the visitors will seek to balance intensity with resource management. For Rennes, the immediate priority is stabilization after a turbulent week. A positive result would settle the dressing room and give Tambouret a compelling audition while leadership finalizes next steps on the bench.
From the touchline
Head coach Luis Enrique emphasized the balance between workload and recovery in this stretch, noting the importance of rest to manage stress and keep performance levels high. On the left-back who starts today, he praised Nuno Mendes’ all-around profile, saying the defender sits very close to the ideal in terms of physical, technical, and human qualities. He also underlined the importance of the present moment in the domestic race, stressing that winning now can tilt trophies their way and that taking three points in Rennes would ramp up the pressure on rival contenders.
The coach highlighted Ousmane Dembélé’s consistency when granted continuity and reiterated his faith in the squad’s summer signings, noting that adaptation takes time and that opportunities will come for those currently rotating. He reserved special mention for the leadership of his captain in the dressing room, a voice he views as essential in guiding the group through the season’s decisive weeks.
With the lineups confirmed and the stakes clear, this matchup sets the stage for a high-tempo, high-precision contest. The visitors bring a full-strength setup and a clear plan; the hosts, fresh direction and a chance to reset their narrative. Kickoff can’t come soon enough.
