Stephanie Lecocq / REUTERS
Winners of Rennes (1-0) this Wednesday, at the Parc des Princes, the Parisians will face OL on May 25 in the final of the Coupe de France.
PSG on the way to a fabulous treble? It’s always possible. Three days after their victory in Marseille (0-2), Luis Enrique’s players dismissed Rennes (1-0) this Wednesday, at the Parc des Princes, in the semi-final of the Coupe de France. They will face OL on May 25 in the final, at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq. A remake of the 2008 final won… by Les Gones, with a goal from Sidney Govou (1-0 after). 20th Coupe de France final for the capital club, one more than OM, a record.
Kylian Mbappé and company will aim to win the trophy for the 15th time, they who are close to the title in the championship and who are still in the running in C1. Steve Mandanda kept the suspense going, notably stopping a penalty, but he had to lose to Mbappé, who was decisive. Note the return of Marquinhos, who will equal the Rouge et Bleu match record in his next match.
The story of this first period is that of an attack-defense between ultra-dominant Parisians – who created few chances – and disciplined Rennais, who focused on blocking the axis and attacking against. But also (and above all) that of a duel between Mbappé and Mandanda. First clash in the 12th minute, when Dembélé put his comrade into orbit. The latter left Théate alone to appear alone against Mandanda. The former Marseillais won this first duel, pushing the ball back onto his bar (12th). Mbappé then trapped Omari to score a penalty. He still came up against his elder (36th)!
Mandanda finally had to bow to the Parisian number 7. Perfectly launched in depth by Ruiz, Mbappé struck the surface and deceived Mandanda with the kind participation of Omari, again, who countered the Parisian’s shot (1-0, 38th). Logical, as Paris dominated the debates in this first act, notably with a “Dembouz” in legs, he who for example eliminated three players before missing his shot (26th). Kalimuendo could, however, have showered the Park without a great Donnarumma (12th).
Mandanda prolongs the suspense, the Rennais believed in it
Rennes left with better intentions and Gouiri, well found by Truffert, was not far from the mark (50th). Donnarumma looked beaten. The Mbappé/Mandanda duel nevertheless started again with a vengeance, with two big saves from the Rennes goalkeeper (53rd, 58th). Donnarumma, for his part, was very happy to see Terrier, who entered the game a bit too short on a cross from Bourigeaud (62nd)… Highlight for Stade Rennes, with also this header from Kalimuendo just above (65th).
Authors of a draw during their last visit to the Park, at the end of February (1-1), Julien Stéphan’s players could believe it. Especially since Mandanda continued his momentum, with a superb save in front of Asensio (79th), and Kolo Muani made a mistake when offering caviar to Mbappé (85th). Rennes still had a few situations, but Mbappé’s goal was enough for the Parisians to be happy (1-0 final score). Which Parisians still have one match (Clermont Saturday) before thinking about Barcelona (April 10 and 16).