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Zabarnyi’s Last-Minute Absence Raises Questions for PSG Against Rennes
PSG’s unexpected lineup change: Illness or political tension?
Paris, December 2025 – The lineup for Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) match against Rennes on Saturday night stirred up speculations following the last-minute withdrawal of Ilya Zabarnyi.
Unexpected absence raises questions
The Ukrainian central defender, Ilya Zabarnyi, was absent from PSG’s squad for the 15th round of Ligue 1, reportedly due to illness according to Le Parisien. However, some suspect a diplomatic reasoning behind his sudden withdrawal, especially considering the selection of Russian goalkeeper Matveï Safonov, who stepped in for the injured Lucas Chevalier.
Political tensions in the spotlight
The speculation gains traction amidst the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine since February 2022. In September, Zabarnyi had expressed his views, stating, “I must work professionally with my teammate in training and fulfill my obligations to the club. While the war continues, I fully support the complete isolation of Russian football worldwide.”
PSG’s performance unaffected
Despite the absence of Zabarnyi, alongside Lucas Beraldo, Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, and Désiré Doué, PSG delivered an impressive 5-0 victory against Stade Rennais. The match highlighted a standout performance from Georgian player Kvaratskhelia, who scored twice.
With this victory, PSG maintains its position in the second place in the French Championship standings, trailing just one point behind leaders Lens.
