Paris-SG was held to a draw on the Bilbao pitch (0-0) this Wednesday, in the Champions League. Find the tops and flops of this meeting.
TOPS
Impassable Simon
The man of the evening. In a match that was slow to come to life, Unai Simon finally had to pull out all the stops to save his team. The Spanish international first warmed his gloves at the end of the first period against Mayulu. Before a series of rescues during a much more lively second act. Decisive three times, he disgusted the Parisians until the final whistle. In total success, since he was also replaced by his bar and Berchiche. If Bilbao held on to a draw against PSG (0-0), it is at least partly thanks to him.
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Zaire-Emery on its way
A convincing interim. Without forgetting Achraf Hakimi, injured for more than a month, Warren Zaire-Emery continues his good performances at the right-back position. The French international, back well after a very difficult start to the season, delivered a big match on the San Mames pitch. Solid, he knew how to block his lane and mitigate the influence of Nico Williams in the Basque game. Offensively, we saw him offer an excellent ball to Senny Mayulu on the first opportunity of the match. Before putting Simon himself into action in the second half, with a nice cross strike.
Pacho solid in the post
Pattern size. Associated with Marquinhos… then with Zabarnyi in the central hinge, Willian Pacho didn’t let anything slip. 100% duels won and an impression of constant domination against the Basque attackers. Like a completely muzzled Guruzeta. Always well placed, the Ecuadorian was able to impose himself in his area during the strong moments of the local team. Impeccable.
FLOPS
Barcola can’t do it
Still disappointing. As since the start of PSG’s European campaign, Bradley Barcola’s evening performance leaves a taste of unfinished business. Little visible in the first period, apart from a good cross poorly negotiated by Ruiz, the former Lyonnais gained momentum after the break, like his entire team. But he once again showed off his clumsiness in the last gesture, sending his shot onto Simon’s crossbar, after a great collective action. Replaced by Ramos, who had no impact at the end of the match.
Bilbao not dangerous enough
Pressing, but not really threatening. Author of intense pressing which considerably hampered PSG in the first period and at the end of the match, Bilbao nevertheless failed to create clear chances. Only one shot on target out of nine attempts, and no major interventions to report for Safonov, who was playing his first Champions League match in over a year and his blunder in Munich. The Basques, led by a too intermittent Williams, confirmed this Wednesday their lack of offensive consistency, having only scored four small goals since the start of the competition.
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Marquinhos, yet another hard blow
The back and forth continues in the PSG infirmary. If Désiré Doué returned to competition entering the second half, a first since his thigh injury on October 29, in Lorient, Marquinhos had to leave his teammates prematurely at the break. While there were fears of an ankle injury, after a sole in Sancet, the Brazilian confided in the corridors of San Mames that he was ultimately suffering from his adductors. Its year 2025 should be over, while PSG will play the first Intercontinental Cup in its history next week.
