Recap: Barcola hits brace as PSG reclaim top spot against Rennes (3-1)

Paris Saint-Germain reclaimed their spot at the top of Ligue 1 against Stade Rennais, just days  before they head to North London next week in the UEFA Champions League to face Premier League side Arsenal. Bradley Barcola scored a brace either side of a goal from Lee Kang-In as PSG raced to a 3-0 lead in the second half. Les Parisiens managed to see off a late resurgence from Les Rouge et Noir, who grabbed a late goal through Arnaud Kalimuendo from the penalty spot.

Luis Enrique's side had a solid first half which saw the ball in the back of the net via Marquinhos early doors, but the Brazilian was adjudged to be offside from Achraf Hakami's header through on goal. Les Parisiens expectedly held onto the ball and dominated possession in the first half, and Ousmane Dembélé would get a great chance to open the scoring, bearing down on goal but his strike would hit the side netting.

Only a few minutes later and Les Parisiens would get even closer: this time it was Achraf Hakimi who struck the bar from close range after some great work from Bradley Barcola down the left side. It was this left channel and Barcola that would finally unlock the Rennes defence, as the young Frenchman pounced on the counter attack, adjusted his body and curled a lovely finish past Steve Mandanda (30').

barcola banishes doubt with brace

Rennes tried to break on the counter-attack, but their rare ventures in the first half couldn't do much to trouble the Rouge et Bleu backline. Half-time would see Enrique's men go back into the changing rooms with a deserved lead. Achraf Hakimi would have the ball in the back of the net just as the second half was getting underway with a lovely finish on the angle past Mandanda, but it would be immediately ruled out for offside. Lee Kang-In would strike on goal but his shot was dragged just wide of the post.

Barcola, once again deadly at home on the left side, unleashed a curled effort that rattled the cross-bar, providing Lee Kang-In an open goal to double the lead for the home side. Only minutes later would the Frenchman be in the thick of it once again, providing a ball which was decoyed by Kang-In Lee and provided Fabian Ruiz with ample room to strike from close range, but Mandanda was on hand to parry away.

On an evening where Barcola lit up the Parc des Princes, it was only right that after providing for the second that he would grab the third, simply tucking away Achraf Hakimi's low cross. Safanov would be called upon to tip over Amine Gouiri's strike over the bar, but the ensuing corner would see Beraldo handle the ball and a penalty given to the away side. 

Arnaud Kalimuendo would step up and dispatch for the Breton side, giving them a slither of a chance going into the last quarter of the game (85'). Safanov would have to be on hand once again to parry away Albert Gronbaek's strike from range. There would be a late scare for Les Parisiens, as Alidu Seidu had the ball in the back of the net, but it would be ruled out for a handball. Les Parisiens saw out the result against the Breton side, and now look ahead to a crucial test against Arsenal in the Champions League next Tuesday.

THE STAT: Bring out the Barcola

Bradley Barcola has now scored six goals in seven matches with Paris Saint-Germain this season, which is more than in his last 40 official appearances with the club. His six goals this season puts him ahead of Mason Greenwood as the league's top scorer.

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