This Saturday at 9:05 PM (CET), Paris Saint-Germain (2nd) faces Rennes (5th) at the Parc des Princes for Matchday 15 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season. In a press conference, Rennes coach Habib Beye spoke about the upcoming match and their Parisian opponents. He made some strong comments about PSG’s approach to the game and their level of play this season, including Ousmane Dembélé (28-year-old forward) and Désiré Doué (20-year-old midfielder/forward).
Beye: “Under pressure against PSG is inevitable.”
How can we avoid being under pressure in Paris?
It’s a challenge. We’re determined not to give the ball away too easily. Under pressure against PSG is inevitable. We need to be effective in possession and use the ball well to push them back. We’ve been working to optimize our possession time and use it to recover.
What’s your approach for this match?
I don’t want to simply copy what other teams did well against Paris, whether it was Le Havre or Monaco, for example. Yes, we need to press them, but in bursts. They’re a very strong team technically, and should have been better against Monaco. We’ll go there as Stade Rennais, with the intention of causing them problems in our own way, using our strengths.
Beye: “We’ll need to be very reactive in our ability to change our attacking and defensive patterns.”
Any adjustments to the starting eleven?
I can adjust my starting eleven in terms of player selection and also the system. The reality is that we’ll have to defend very well and play with a lot of intensity. We’ve tried many different formations in training.
We’ll need to be very reactive in our ability to change our attacking and defensive strategies. We can’t stick to the same game plan from start to finish. This match will be won over time, and we’ll have to be very, very good for 90 minutes.
Beye: “At the start of last season, PSG wasn’t the team they were in the Champions League final at the end of May.”
Is PSG weaker than last season?
I don’t think so. They have some players missing, which is a real drawback. But I believe the rewards come at the end of the season. They’re a team that has the ability to improve. At the start of last season, PSG wasn’t the team they were in the Champions League final at the end of May. They had a real breakthrough in January. I have a lot of respect for what PSG has produced over the last two years.
Beye: “If he plays, Dembélé will be a real threat to us.” “
Are talented players and Dembélé struggling?
They’re not struggling, they’re phenomenal. We have incredibly high expectations of them. I saw Dembélé come on against Monaco and something clicked. They’re both coming back from injury, but I have no doubt they’ll be excellent again with PSG. If he plays, Dembélé will be a real threat to us. We expect to face the best version of Paris against us, so we’ll have to be ready,” these remarks were relayed by the official Rennes website.
There are many interesting points in this statement, which is a refreshing change from the often similar pronouncements of coaches or media reports that lack perspective and nuance. Beye reminds us that there’s no magic formula for causing problems for PSG.
First of all, because every team has its own characteristics, its own strengths and weaknesses. Not everyone can apply a high and effective press, or play with ease in a low block and launch dangerous counter-attacks. Paris Saint-Germain, on the other hand, knows how to adapt during a match, even though the objective remains the same: to dominate possession and stifle the opponent. Therefore, they must find ways to break down defenses, especially given the various options available to them in their lineup.
Rennes has prepared itself to be able to respond effectively, knowing that a PSG at its best is difficult to stop. They haven’t been stopped much lately. Some are already seeing problems and cause for concern. However, as Beye points out, there’s nothing illogical about this. PSG is being compared to an exceptional end to the season. It’s impossible to maintain that level of performance consistently.
Regaining fitness during a season without proper preparation takes time. And without being at peak physical condition, it’s impossible to be perfect in all other areas. PSG is doing remarkably well for months when “hell” was predicted. They’re even seeing players return from injury.
Including Dembélé, with Doué expected to follow soon. Such talents inevitably add to the team’s strengths. Even if Dembélé isn’t yet at his best, which is understandable, the Rennes coach is right to point out that his appearance against Monaco made a difference. Paris became more unpredictable and dangerous. We hope he’ll continue to improve.
