Paris Saint-Germain appear poised to close the gap at the top of Ligue 1 after taking a 1-0 lead into the break of their clash with Rennes this evening.
Ezequiel Lavezzi's 29th-minute strike was the only shot on target during the first half at Parc des Princes, but may yet be enough for the champions to move within a point of leaders Lyon by close of play tonight.
On what was PSG's first notable forward venture, the Argentine marked his recall to the side with his third goal of the season, lashing into the top corner from eight yards after being picked out by Javier Pastore's cross.
Rennes had done most of the early running and yet too struggled to create chances. Fallou Diagne's long-range sighter whistled harmlessly wide, while Lucas Digne blocked another effort from distance by Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Their best chance of an equaliser fell to seven-goal top scorer Paul-Georges Ntep, who collected a loose ball to spin and shoot narrowly wide from the edge of the box as home stopper Salvatore Sirigu remained untroubled.