PSG can't crack resolute Monaco, suffer another draw

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:21 am
Jean-Christophe Bahebeck & Co. missed on their chance to sit atop the Ligue 1 standings.
Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images

Paris Saint-Germain were unable to reclaim top spot in Ligue 1 as they were held to a goalless draw by fellow high-flyers Monaco.

With pacesetters Lyon losing 2-1 at Lille on Saturday, PSG could have moved a point clear at the summit if they had managed to claim a victory from their trip to the south coast.

However, despite having the better of the match, Laurent Blanc's men had to settle for a third draw in their last four Ligue 1 games as stubborn Monaco -- a team who have conceded just once in 11 league matches -- battled their way to a potentially valuable point in their hunt for a top-four finish.

The Stade Louis II crowd had to wait 15 minutes for the first chance of the game, but it fell the way of the visitors.

Javier Pastore released Ezequiel Lavezzi and his pull-back found Edinson Cavani, whose powerful effort was just too close to Daniel Subasic and the keeper was able to palm clear.

PSG continued to create the better openings and Lavezzi should have put the champions ahead when Blaise Matuidi's nod down from Maxwell's clever chip fell at the Argentina international's feet, but he fired wide.

Lavezzi wasted another good chance on the half-hour mark before the hosts had their best chance of the period.

Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco broke free down the left and, after holding off a half-hearted Thiago Silva challenge, his delivery found Joao Moutinho but the former Porto man could only shoot straight at Salvatore Sirigu from 16 yards.

Pastore continued to impress after the interval and he almost opened the scoring soon after the restart but, after linking up well with countryman Lavezzi, his sweetly-struck volley was too close to Subasic.

He almost went one better just a few minutes later when a superb Marco Verratti pass released him in behind the Monaco defence but, despite beating Subasic with a clever chip, the ball finished up the wrong side of the post.

PSG were not having things all their own way, though, as Geoffrey Kondogbia saw an effort deflected wide before Layvin Kurzawa tried to catch out an advanced Sirigu, but to little effect.