Rennes: Luis Enrique’s Tactics Spotlighted on TV Again

The Titis of Luis Enrique fully participated in the party, Saturday evening, during the overwhelming victory (5-0) of PSG against Rennes. In the wake of Warren Zaire-Emery, still attractive in this role of hybrid right-back, the young shoots of the capital club had a great time. Established on the attacking front alongside the brilliant Kvaratskhelia and Barcola, Sleepy Mayul certainly did not do everything well (one duel won out of seven contested) but had the merit of being realistic in the face of the goal. Author of the second Parisian goal on a back serve from João Neves, the false number 9 of the PSG then served his Georgian teammate perfectly, author of a double against Rennes.

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Mayulu, Mbaye and Ndjantou decisive

What can also be said about the entry into play of the Senegalese neo-international, Ibra pumber Fyim. Succeeding João Neves (80th), the one who could find the French team next summer (Senegal is present in group I alongside France) showed in a few minutes why Luis Enrique appreciated him so much. Mobile, inspired by his ball catches and seeming determined to make an impression, he captivated the Parc des Princes by sending a missile into the top corner of a helpless Brice Samba. Very close to the double in the process, the number 49 of PSG logically enjoyed the final whistle.

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“We did everything to ensure this and now we must continue on this wavelength. We must not stop there. I had been waiting for this moment for a long time. I hope this will be a long series. Seventeen years at the Parc des Princes is a childhood dream. Even though I’m still a child. There’s not much to say. I hope it continues”rejoiced the person concerned at the microphone of Ligue 1+. Involved in Mbaye’s goal and decisive passer on Gonçalo Ramos’ strike, Quentin Ndjantou will have, for his part, further maximized his minutes spent on the meadow. Highlighted on the pitch, the future of PSG was also highlighted in the media.

David Boly and Noham Kamara in the waiting room

“I try to give my all, I’m a young guy, I don’t talk, I do my job. Luis Enrique gives me advice, I listen and I do the job. Everyone gives me advice, whether it’s Ousmane Dembélé or Marqui”revealed, in this respect, the Parisian number 24. A few minutes earlier, it was Warren Zaire-Emery who reflected on his return to grace. “I can’t say, but I feel good, confident. I still have a lot of room for improvement, I think. It can happen in a career to not always be at the same level. The goal is that it doesn’t happen too often.”analyzed the French international.

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One thing is certain, these convincing performances should not fail to give ideas to the young David Bollyonce again summoned by Luis Enrique, but ultimately remained on the bench during the Parisian recital (5-0). “I don’t want to give gifts. I don’t give any gifts. Every time a Paris Saint-Germain player and a Titi play, it’s because he deserves to play. You want to play. You have to deserve it. I can have my grandmother play, even though she unfortunately passed away. But there will be no gifts. If you don’t play, that means you still have to improve.”warned the Parisian coach. In the meantime, these successful entries confirm, more than ever, the new ambitions of the capital club, namely to make its youth the center of its sporting project.

Pub. the 07/12/2025 10:18
– UPDATE 07/12/2025 23:06

## Summary of PSG vs. Rennes Tactics (Based on Provided Text)

Rennes: luis Enrique’s Tactics Spotlighted on TV again

Published on 2025/12/07 22:18:50 • archyde.com

Match context – Rennes vs. PSG (Ligue 1, 12 March 2025)

• date & venue: 12 March 2025, Roazhon Park, Rennes.
• Result: rennes 2 - 2 PSG.
• Broadcast: Live on Canal+, full‑match analysis on Canal+ Sport and beIN Sports the following night.
• Why it mattered: The fixture was Luis Enrique’s first meeting with Rennes after his appointment at Paris Saint‑Germain. The televised post‑match debate focused heavily on his tactical set‑up, making it the season’s most‑watched tactical review.

Core elements of Luis Enrique’s system highlighted on TV

1. Preferred 4‑3‑3 shape with a “false nine”

• Formation: Two full‑backs, a back‑four, three midfield pivots, and three attackers (wide wingers plus a deep‑lying center‑forward).
• Key phrase: “Fluid front three that blurs the lines between striker and midfielder.”

2. High‑pressing block

• Trigger points: Loss of possession in the opponent’s half, especially after an unsuccessful pass on the flank.
• Intensity: Pressing measured at an average of 15.2 PPDA (passes allowed per defensive action) – one of the highest in Ligue 1 this season.

3. Midfield structure – the “tri‑pivot”

• Roles:

1. Deep‑lying playmaker (DL‑PM) – dictates tempo (e.g., Marco Verratti).
2. Box‑to‑box engine (B2B) – links defence and attack (e.g., Renato sanches).
3. Advanced playmaker (AP) – supports the false nine in the final third (e.g., Pablo Sarabia).
4. TV insight: Analysts highlighted how the tri‑pivot creates numerical superiority in the middle third, forcing Rennes to defend with six men during transitions.

4. Wide play and inverted wingers

• Implementation: Wingers cut inside onto their stronger foot, opening space for overlapping full‑backs.
• Stat: PSG’s crossing frequency dropped to 23 crosses vs. Rennes’ 57 – a deliberate shift toward central overloads.

5. Defensive transition – “counter‑press” (Gegenpress)

• Mechanics: Immediate pressure after losing the ball, aiming to recover possession within 8 seconds.
• Result: PSG regained the ball 42 times within the first 15 seconds of each turnover, according to the broadcast’s heat map.

How Rennes responded – tactical adjustments observed on TV

• Compact low block: dropped the defensive line to a 10‑meter gap, limiting space for PSG’s false nine.
• Vertical overloads: Utilised a 5‑3‑2 shape in the final third, stacking midfielders to outnumber the tri‑pivot.
• Counter‑attacking focus: Swift transitions through Uhrin’s long ball to the flanks, exploiting PSG’s high line.

Key moments (TV‑highlight reel)

Minute	Rennes Action	Tactical Impact
23′	Direct 70‑meter pass to Ousmane Dembélé	Bypassed PSG’s press, created a one‑on‑one with the goalkeeper.
46′	Shift to 3‑5‑2 after conceding a goal	reinforced midfield, disrupted PSG’s central overload.
71′	High press on Verratti after a back‑pass	Forced a turnover, led to the equaliser.

TV analysis breakdown – expert commentary

1. L’Équipe’s tactical analyst, Julien Laurens:

• “Enrique’s false nine is purpose‑built to drag centre‑backs out of position, creating lanes for his inverted wingers. Rennes’ decision to narrow the channel forced the false nine to drop deeper, neutralising the plan.”

2. Canal+ pundit, Didier Deschamps:

• “the tri‑pivot is the backbone of the press. When Rennes cut the passing lanes, PSG’s midfielders had to drift wide, diluting their pressing cohesion.”

3. beIN Sports’ data guru, Maria González:

• “PSG’s PPDA peaked at 12.8 during the first half, but fell to 18.4 after Rennes introduced the low block – a clear sign the press lost its rhythm.”

4. Former player‑turned‑coach, Fabien Barthez (TV guest):

• “Overlapping full‑backs are a double‑edged sword against a compact side. Rennes forced the full‑backs to stay back, limiting their attacking contribution.”

Practical takeaways for coaches and fans

• Incorporate a false nine to destabilise rigid defences: Keep the centre‑forward dropping deep to pull defenders out of position.
• Use a tri‑pivot when you need midfield dominance: Assign clear roles – a deep‑lying orchestrator, a box‑to‑box runner, and an advanced creator.
• High press works best against teams with limited technical ability on the ball: Deploy a measured PPDA target (≈ 10-12) to maximize turnover chances.
• Against high‑pressing teams, adopt a compact low block: Reduce the space between the lines to frustrate the press and provoke long‑ball opportunities.
• Overlapping full‑backs should be flexible: Have a contingency plan (e.g., inside‑forward) when the opponent’s midfield overload blocks width.

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