PSG Salvages 2-2 Draw at Rennes, But Luis Enrique Flags Vulnerability on the Counter

Two goals from Ferran Torres in his debut papered over a problem that's already starting to repeat itself for Luis Enrique. PSG salvaged a 2-2 draw at Rennes on Sunday, but the coach wasn't dwelling on the comeback. He was fixated on the two counterattacks that nearly cost his team the match.

It was the second straight stumble for the champions of France and Europe. Before traveling to Rennes, PSG had fallen 1-0 to Lens in the Trophée des Champions, France's version of the Supercup. In both games the script played out the same way: opponents sitting back, winning the ball, and sprinting forward, with PSG arriving late to close the gaps.

Against Rennes, to make matters worse, Luis Enrique's side was technically the home team. Or should have been. The match was moved to the opponent's stadium after the pitch at Parc des Princes was damaged by the heat wave that hit Paris this summer. That was a minor detail compared to what unfolded on the field.

Two Counters, Two Goals

Rennes' first goal came from a quick breakout down the left that left Sebastian Szymanski completely unmarked at the edge of the box. The second arrived on the right, another fast transition that scrambled the entire back line and ended up at the feet of Esteban Lepaul. There was nearly a third, late in the match: another counterattack down the left that Willian Pacho had to clear off the goal line.

For Luis Enrique, the diagnosis is specific but troubling, since it strikes at what had been one of the team's strengths.

Transition play was one of our strong points over the last three seasons, so we need to stay alert to that. There are certain positions where you need to make sure your spot is covered by another player. If you lose focus even a little, you can run into trouble.Luis Enrique

The Asturian coach went further when breaking down Rennes' actual goals, adding another factor into the mix: the squad's physical condition.

I think it comes down to the players' fitness. The counters weren't the only issue, it was also the quality and speed of Rennes' forwards. They were very dangerous and hard to handle.Luis Enrique

It's no coincidence that several players looked a step heavy. The World Cup kept much of the squad away until deep into the summer, leaving PSG with a minimal preseason before beating Aston Villa 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup on August 12. Ousmane Dembele, the Ballon d'Or winner and a standout for France at the World Cup, was substituted at halftime against Rennes, with the team already down 2-0.

There's no letup in the schedule. PSG, the defending French champion, is back on the road Friday against Lille. If the transition issues aren't fixed soon, the margin for pulling out late results, the way they did against Rennes, is only going to shrink.