Paris Saint-Germain held to goalless draw by Montpellier

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:03 am
Angel Di Maria and PSG could not find the net as they were held to a draw at home.
FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

Paris Saint-Germain were held to their second 0-0 draw in a month at the Parc des Princes after being frustrated by a rejuvenated Montpellier.

Despite dominating the opening 45 minutes, with Edinson Cavani being denied only by the woodwork, Laurent Blanc's runaway league leaders failed to score as they prepared for a visit to Chelsea on Wednesday in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash.

Montpellier were looking for their fourth successive Ligue 1 win but, despite failing to inspire, Frederic Hantz's side left with a point that sees them go eight clear of the bottom three.

Blanc rang the changes ahead of their crucial midweek clash at Stamford Bridge, with Christopher Nkunku being handed his first ever Ligue 1 start in midfield, but it was one of the old guard who went closest to breaking the deadlock early on.

The ever reliable Maxwell, who was handed the skipper's armband for the day, picked out Cavani with a delightful ball before the Uruguay international smashed a volley against the crossbar.

The hosts continued to dominate the early stages and the same duo combined again to carve open Montpellier but Cavani saw his goalbound effort from Maxwell's delivery superbly kept out by Laurent Pionnier.

Having seen a lot of the ball in the opening 25 minutes, Angel Di Maria was next to go close for the current champions but, like Cavani, he found Pionnier a tough nut to crack with the visitors' stopper twice denying the former Manchester United forward from well-hit set-pieces.

With half-time looming PSG almost got the goal their dominance deserved but, after Benjamin Stambouli, Cavani and Di Maria all combined to tee up Lucas, the Brazilian was unable to get the necessary touch to break the deadlock.

The break did little to stem the current champions' flow and Blanc thought his team had a penalty shortly before the hour mark when Ryad Boudebouz appeared to bring down Stambouli inside the area but experienced referee Tony Chapron failed to react, much to the displeasure of the Parc des Princes faithful.

Despite being rested with the Chelsea clash in mind, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Javier Pastore were thrown on with half an hour left to play, however, their introduction failed to inspire the hosts as their first-half performance seemed like a distant memory.

Ibrahimovic had a rare opportunity on goal direct from a free kick as the match moved into the final 10 minutes but the hosts' top scorer blazed an effort wide of Pionnier's goal from the left angle of the area as a goalless draw continued to look the most likely outcome.

The visitors had a half-chance late on to stun PSG when Boudebouz's corner found Daniel Congre at the back post but the utility defender failed to find the target with his header before Ibrahimovic wasted the best chance of the half in added time.

Substitute Jean-Kevin Augustin's perfectly weighted pass released the Sweden international but, not for the first time in the match, Pionnier came to Montpellier's rescue, saving superbly to deny Ibrahimovic and earn his side a point.