Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by AS Monaco on Friday night, despite extending their unbeaten run in the league to 19 games.
Tough Encounter for PSG
The match at Stade Louis II proved difficult for the visitors, with Monaco putting in a strong performance and creating several chances. PSG’s star forward, Kylian Mbappe, was surprisingly substituted at half-time after having little impact on the game. The reason for his substitution remains unclear, with no official confirmation of an injury.
Donnarumma Shines in Goal
Inspiration from PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saw him making several key saves to keep the scores level, despite Monaco’s overall dominance.
He denied efforts from Takumi Minamino and Folarin Balogun in the first half and was crucial in keeping Monaco at bay.
Second Half Improvement
PSG improved in the second half after introducing substitutes, including Randal Kolo Muani and Nuno Mendes. They created several chances themselves, with Barcola, Kolo Muani, and Vitinha all coming close to scoring. However, they could not find a breakthrough, and the game ended in a stalemate.
Unbeaten Run Maintained
Despite the disappointing result, PSG remains unbeaten in Ligue 1 and is still comfortably on the table. They are now 12 points clear of second-placed Brest, who play their game in hand on Sunday. Monaco, meanwhile, remain third but are still searching for their first home win of the year.
Mbappe’s Substitution Raises Questions
The substitution of Mbappe at half-time was a significant talking point after the match. With the forward reportedly set to leave PSG in the summer, speculation will now surround the reasons behind his early withdrawal. His absence undoubtedly affected PSG’s attacking threat in the second half.
Overall, the goalless draw was frustrating for PSG, but they will take comfort in maintaining their unbeaten run in Ligue 1. They hope to return to winning when they face their next opponents.