This Friday, February 13th, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) faces Rennes (6th) at Roazhon Park (kick-off at 7 pm, CET) for Matchday 22 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season. And as before every match, here is a preview of PSG’s opponent.
Rennes’ situation –
While the Rennes club seemed poised for a successful period, having secured European qualification at the end of the 2022-2023 season, new difficulties arose. The start of the 2023-2024 season was complicated by the upheavals of the transfer window, which ultimately led to Bruno Génésio’s departure. Julien Stéphan, who had already been with Rennes before his move to Strasbourg in 2021, returned on November 20, 2024.
This hasn’t solved all the problems, far from it. Finally, at the end of January, another coach arrived at the helm of the Rennes team: Habib Beye, who had made a name for himself with Red Star after being a Senegalese international defender and sports consultant. The initial effect was quite positive.
But this was short-lived, and he eventually ran into difficulties. He narrowly avoided being fired at the end of 2025 before enjoying a period of strong results. The recent setback proved fatal, despite a respectable 6th place finish; his sometimes sharp communication style may also have been a factor. In any case, he is expected to be replaced by Franck Haise. Sébastien Tambouret is serving as interim manager tonight.
Summer Transfer Window 2025 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Winter Transfer Window 2025/2026 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key Statistics –
This season, Rennes boasts one of the 7th best attacks in Ligue 1 with 31 goals scored (PSG leads with 48, while Auxerre trails with 14), and one of the 14th best defenses with 34 goals conceded (PSG has the best defense with 16 goals conceded, while Metz trails with 46).
Rennes’ top scorer is Esteban Lepaul (25 years old), who, with 10 goals, ranks 3rd in the league (Mason Greenwood leads with 13 goals). Musa Al-Tamari is Rennes’ top assist provider with 3 assists, ranking 21st in Ligue 1 (Vitinha leads with 6 assists).
Rennes’ Last 5 Matches –
Only Rennes’ possession is shown, and Rennes’ shots are listed first (when data is available).
January 18, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Rennes/Le Havre: 1-1. 3-5-2 formation. 54% possession. 19 shots, 7 on target, vs. 7 shots (2 on target).
January 24, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Rennes/Lorient: 0-2. 3-5-2 formation. 67% possession. 22 shots, 5 on target, vs. 6 shots (4 on target).
January 31, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Monaco/Rennes: 4-0. 3-5-2 formation. 54% possession. 8 shots, 4 on target, vs. 14 shots (6 on target).
February 3, 2026 (French Cup) – Marseille/Rennes: 3-0. In a 3-5-2 formation. 49% possession. 3 shots, 2 on target, compared to 8 shots (5 on target).
February 7, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Lens (down to 10 men in the 56th minute, 2-0)/Rennes: 3-1. In a 3-5-2 formation. 45% possession. 9 shots, 1 on target, compared to 10 shots (3 on target).
The squad –
Unavailable – Aïd Boudlal, Frankowski, Jacquet, Kamara, Zabiri (injury)
The probable starting lineup in a 4-3-3 formation.
Blas – Embolo – Szymanski
Cissé – Rongier – Camara
Merlin – Brassier – Rouault – Seidu
Samba
Rennes’ playing style.
Upon arriving at Rennes, Beye shook things up. Notably with a back three and the idea of playing aggressively to create as many chances as possible. Even if it meant taking risks and relying on offside traps, particularly to control the space behind the defenders. This approach worked at times, resulting in many goals. But there were also real defensive vulnerabilities.
It’s difficult to say whether Tambouret will stick with the same approach or make some changes tonight. But a cautious approach is likely for the opening match against PSG.
