Big-spenders PSG fail to beat Rennes in France Ligue 1

Posted on August 15, 2011 by SoccerPunter

PSG looked as if they would belatedly get their season into gear and take the points after a Kevin Gameiro goal gave the capital club a 73rd-minute lead.

But Burkina Faso striker Pitroipa’s breakaway effort right at the death, firing beyond keeper Salvatore Sirigu, ensured that the nouveaux riches Parisians dropped vital points again on the heels of last week’s false start which brought a 1-0 home reverse to Gameiro’s old side Lorient.

PSG coach Antoine Kombouare was a frustrated man afterwards.

“I have mixed feelings – the first feeling being one of disappointment as the win was there for the taking with just a couple of minutes left. We have to be more solid and less naive. But you learn from your mistakes and I hope this is the first and the last time,” he said.

“Secondly, I can draw great satisfaction in that we showed we have the makings of a side – we were (the Rennes goal apart) solid and disciplined.”

Midfielder Blaise Matuidi said: “We are down as overall we played well and had chances, so it is a shame to have let in the late goal. We mustn’t make a drama of it and look at the things we did well and draw on that.”

Prior to Pitroipa’s late intervention Gameiro appeared to have done enough to seal victory as he neatly finished after Jeremy Menez had crossed into the box for PSG’s first goal in five years at Rennes.

PSG, who have spent 80 million euros over the summer in a bid to chase down a first league title since 1994, were not the only top side kicking themselves over dropped points as Lyon also had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate, in their case at home to promoted Ajaccio.

Argentine forward Lisandro Lopez saved Lyon’s embarrassment with an 83rd-minute leveller after Frederic Sammaritano had put their Corsican visitors ahead on the hour.

The point, added to an opening-day win at Nice, left Lyon on four points sharing joint fourth spot with Rennes.

But it is Toulouse, Caen and former giants Saint Etienne who are setting the pace after the trio all recorded their second win in as many games Saturday.

Toulouse, first day winners at Ajaccio, saw off promoted Dijon 2-0 with Turk Umut Bulut and Paulo Machado – from the penalty spot – on target while a last-minute goal from Sylvain Marchal gave Saint-Etienne, buoyant after a shock win at Bordeaux, a 1-0 win over Nancy.

Caen meanwhile thanked goals from Romain Hamouna and Pierre-Alain Frau for a 2-1 success at Sochaux.

It was an emotional return for Frau, who won the title last season with Lille only not to have his contract renewed, as the 31-year-old was a big Sochaux favourite earlier in his career before going on to win the league with Lyon and then Lille.

Elsewhere, Lorient held Bordeaux 1-1 while Valenciennes were later hosting Brest.

On Sunday’s menu, champions Lille were at home to Montpellier, 2010 champions Marseille were in action at Auxerre and Evian were taking on Nice.

French Ligue results:

Saint-Etienne 1 Nancy 0
Rennes 1 Paris SG 1
Lorient 1 Bordeaux 1
Sochaux 1 Caen 2
Lyon 1 Ajaccio 1
Toulouse 2 Dijon 0
Valenciennes 0 Brest 0