Ferran Torres scored twice in 12 minutes, while William Pacho made a decisive goal-line block, as Paris Saint-Germain recovered from 2-0 down to draw with Rennes in the opening round of the new season. The result spared Luis Enrique’s side a damaging defeat after a difficult performance from several of their key players, including Matvey Safonov and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Rennes had beaten Paris Saint-Germain the last time the sides met, six months ago, and looked on course to repeat that success. The hosts were also presented with an opportunity to punish the champions in the first game of the new campaign after PSG struggled to impose themselves.
However, two Spanish substitutes and Ecuadorian defender Pacho changed the contest. Fabian Ruiz, introduced for the final half-hour, provided two assists for Torres, while Pacho produced the most important defensive intervention of the evening in the closing stages.
The player ratings were assessed by Euro-football.ru on a subjective 10-point scale.
PSG’s three best performers
William Pacho – 7.5
Pacho endured a difficult start to the campaign, having been troubled first by the 17-year-old Majo and then by the second wave of Lens. Against Rennes, though, the Ecuadorian defender looked far more assured.
He improved considerably in the physical contests, winning all three of his challenges, and regularly stepped forward into the defensive midfield area. Pacho also recovered possession twice to help PSG regain control during a spell when Rennes were threatening to extend their lead.
His most significant contribution came in the final minutes. With Safonov already beaten, Blas appeared to have a clear chance to score, but Pacho blocked the effort on the goal line and kept PSG in the game.
That intervention proved crucial as the visitors continued to search for a way back into the match.
Fabian Ruiz – 8.5
Ruiz was brought on for only 30 minutes, but that was enough time for the Spain international to change the outcome with two assists.
His first decisive pass was a superb ball over the Rennes defence which sent Ferran Torres through one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Ruiz then supplied the second goal with a cross from the left, finding Torres in an ideal position.
Both deliveries were weighted with precision and allowed Torres to finish without having to break stride. Ruiz created three key chances in total, underlining the influence he had despite his limited time on the pitch.
The midfielder’s introduction gave PSG greater composure and creativity in the final third, qualities that had been missing while Rennes established their two-goal advantage.
Ferran Torres – 9.0
Torres delivered the defining performance of the comeback, scoring twice to secure a point for PSG.
The forward had been criticised in the past for failing to convert chances in his Barcelona appearances, when opportunities of this kind often went unfinished. In Rennes, however, he was clinical. Torres had two shots on target and both resulted in goals.
His first came after Ruiz’s outstanding pass had released him towards goal. The second followed a precise cross from the left by the same team-mate. Together, the finishes completed PSG’s recovery in the space of 12 minutes.
Torres also made two interceptions, contributing to the defensive effort during the closing stages as PSG protected the draw.
The comeback ensured Rennes were denied what would have been another victory over the champions, while Luis Enrique’s substitutes ultimately provided the response his starting line-up had failed to produce.
