UCL: PSG held to goalless draw by Athletic Club

Paris Saint-Germain were held to a goalless draw in the Champions League by Athletic Club on Wednesday night (0-0).

PSG knock on the door

The reigning European champions came into this game comfortably inside the top eight in the UCL. Regardless of the result, they would finish the gameweek there, but they were enterprising as they looked to keep pace with current leaders Arsenal.

Warren Zaire-Emery had the first effort of the game, striking just wide of the far post (4'), but a much better effort came PSG's way in the 18th minute. However, steaming into the box, Fabián Ruiz's effort did not trouble Unai Simon's goal.

However, Simon was tested before the end of the half. Senny Mayulu got on the end of a cross and got off a shot that tested the Spain international (45'), but the goalkeeper got enough on it to ensure that it drifted just wide of his post.

Valverde 🤝 Luis Enrique pic.twitter.com/iKaRc9IHMC
— Ligue 1 Español (@Ligue1_ESP) December 10, 2025

It almost became a personal battle between Simon and Mayulu, with the latter testing the former with another excellent first-time effort inside the box (49'). Simon was the symbol of a combative and resilient Athletic Club side, who were determined to come away with a point, but who rarely managed to truly test Matvey Safonov in the PSG goal.

Zaire-Emery then forced Simon into another save (51') as PSG continued to knock on the door, but without reward. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia netted a brace against Rennes over the weekend, and he almost continued his fine form, but curled just wide from the outside of the box (57').

PSG sit third in Champions League standings

Luis Enrique's men continued to push for the winner and Bradley Barcola could hardly have gone closer. But having edged in front of his man and in behind the Athletic defence, his driven effort rifled off the bar (65').

There would be one final chance and it would come to Ruiz. Simon was equal to his first effort, but the Spanish midfielder would get a second bite of the apple. From a wide angle, he couldn't get the power on the shot, which was cleared off the line by Yuri Berchiche (87').

PSG, therefore, had to settle for just a point in the Basque region. It means that Champions League leaders Arsenal are now five points ahead of the reigning Ligue 1 champions on 18 points, whilst Bayern Munich are second with 15. Les Parisiens are third with 13 points, level with Manchester City and Atalanta.

The Stat: 0

It has been a while, a long while, since PSG last registered a goalless draw in the Champions League. The reigning European champions' last goalless draw in Europe's elite competitions came back in October 2015, and it came against La Liga giants Real Madrid. PSG are rarely involved in goalless affairs in Europe, but when they are, it has come against Spanish sides in recent times.

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