Luis Enrique made eight changes to the team that was frustrated by Liverpool in midweek, but Joao Neves remained and saw his early shot saved with Les Parisiens taking control of possession.
PSG continued to move the ball around as the half progressed and started to create more regular opportunities with Ismael Kone rushing out to deny Warren Zaire-Emery, Desire Doue firing wide and Goncalo Ramos having a shot saved.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 28th minute, following intelligent thinking from Doue, who quickly took a free-kick and released Barcola for the forward to slot the ball through Brice Samba’s legs.
Ludovic Blas came agonisingly close to providing an immediate response for Rennes, but PSG soon threatened again, as Ramos sent his follow-up wide after Samba saved Kang-in Lee’s initial effort, and Barcola’s strike was fizzed straight at the goalkeeper.
Mohamed Kader Meite crashed a powerful header against the crossbar before the break, providing a reminder that the game was far from finished – and perhaps with that warning in mind, Les Parisiens showed plenty of intent after the restart.
Duly, they established a buffer within five minutes of re-emerging from the dressing room, as Barcola squared the ball for Ramos to convert with a first-time finish.
The hosts struck back swiftly, though, as Arnaud Kalimuendo’s instinctive shot was palmed wide and Lilian Brassier headed home from the ensuing corner.
Thirsting for a leveller, Kalimuendo then saw his shot blocked by Willian Pacho following a swashbuckling run from Kone, and four of PSG’s big-name players were soon introduced in response.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia came close twice within a matter of minutes, but Lucas Beraldo then had to react quickly to close down Meite after the defender’s poor touch gave the 17-year-old an opening. And after Vitinha was pickpocketed, Matvei Safonov palmed away Blas’ effort.
PSG always find an extra gear from somewhere, and Ousmane Dembele then stole the show with a double blast in injury time.
Firstly, Achraf Hakimi put the ball across the area for him to tuck home into a gaping net, before a great first touch from Vitinha’s killer pass on the edge of the box enabled him to drill a composed shot into the bottom right corner.
On paper, this is the ideal way for PSG to prepare for a midweek trip to Anfield, but Rennes shouldn’t take the victors’ sixth straight league victory to heart, as it was just their second defeat in six matches under Habib Beye’s management. For now, they remain nine a reasonably comfortable points above the relegation play-off place.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain)
