Neymar scores but PSG fall short against Rennes
Neymar was on target the day after signing his contract extension but Paris Saint-Germain were held to a 1-1 draw at Rennes that leaves Lille a step closer to a remarkable Ligue 1 title triumph.
PSG led at half-time after Neymar converted a controversial penalty award, but they were pegged back in the second half as
Serhou Guirassy headed in the equaliser. Presnel Kimpembe was later sent off for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who could not get back to winning ways on their return to domestic action following their Champions League semi-final exit against Manchester City.
PSG are now three points adrift of Ligue 1 leaders Lille, who know they will be champions for the first time since 2011 by taking four points from their remaining two matches of the season.
The Parisians have won the French title in seven of the past eight years but they have regularly wobbled this season and the decision to replace coach Thomas Tuchel with Pochettino during the winter break looks like it will not have the desired impact.
“We will keep believing until the end, we won’t lose faith, but at Paris Saint-Germain we need to do much better,” captain Marquinhos told broadcaster Canal Plus.
“Lille are a really good side and are winning every match. We have two games left and we need to believe, focus on ourselves and perform better.”
Lille had opened up a provisional four-point lead by winning 3-0 at Lens on Friday, with Burak Yilmaz scoring twice.
PSG’s last two games are at home to Reims and away at relegation-threatened Brest, while Lille finish at home to SaintEtienne and away at Angers.
Earlier, a first senior goal for Belgian youngster Eliot Matazo gave Monaco a 1-0 win at Reims that kept the principality club on course for a top-three finish and a return to the Champions League.