Luis Enrique positive about PSG facing more competitive Ligue 1 title field

Luis Enrique is relishing the prospect of Paris Saint-Germain battling several teams for the Ligue 1 title this season, saying they used that as motivation in their 5-0 rout of Rennes.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored twice as PSG ran riot at the Parc des Princes, with Senny Mayulu, Ibrahim Mbaye and Goncalo Ramos also on target.

PSG have now scored in 40 consecutive home games in Ligue 1, netting a total of 104 goals, their longest-ever such run in the competition.

The European champions inflicted Rennes' heaviest league defeat since a 6-0 loss at Nancy on August 27, 2005, but they did not end the day top of the table.

Lens are one point clear of PSG after beating Nantes 2-1 on Saturday, achieving their fifth straight victory. 

That is the smallest gap between the top two teams in Ligue 1 after 15 games of a campaign since 2020-21, when PSG last missed out on the title. 

They were a point clear of Lille at that stage, with Christophe Galtier's side eventually overhauling them for the crown.

Marseille and Lille are both four points back of PSG, while Lyon will move within six points of Luis Enrique's men if they win at Lorient on Sunday.

Speaking to Ligue 1+, Luis Enrique said: "It was practically perfect. We deserved the victory. Rennes played very well, they don't really deserve this result. 

"We really like going through hardship, we are a team used to that. 

"If there are more teams motivated to play for the title, that's perfect. It's a source of motivation for us."

Mayulu's goal was his 10th for PSG in all competitions and his fourth in Ligue 1.

At 19 years and 203 days old, he is the third-youngest player to reach double figures for the club, after Eric Renaut (18 years, 278 days) and Kylian Mbappe (18 years, 354 days).

And with Mbaye also on target, Luis Enrique showered praise upon PSG's young players.  

"When you see youngsters with those qualities, with their personality to play at the Parc des Princes, without feeling any pressure, it's very important," he said.

"I am very demanding with young people; they must value the trust we place in them."

PSG attempted 20 shots to Rennes' six, also winning the expected goals (xG) battle by 2.01 to 0.16. 

They are next in action against Athletic Club at San Mames in the Champions League on Wednesday, before visiting Metz in Ligue 1 on Saturday.