Paris Saint-Germain prepared for their Champions League game against Chelsea with an unimpressive 0-0 draw against Montpellier Herault in the Ligue 1 on Saturday.
PSG coach Laurent Blanc rotated his team at the Parc des Princes to avoid any injuries ahead of Wednesday’s match at Stamford Bridge. His players lacked a cutting edge against a well-organized Montpellier team, and missed good chances in the first half.
PSG’s best opportunity came in the third minute when striker Edinson Cavani connected with a cross from Maxwell and hit the crossbar.
Montpellier goalkeeper Laurent Pionnier made two good saves during the first half-hour, denying efforts from Cavani and Angel di Maria, and was decisive in stoppage-time to stop a fine attempt from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
PSG remained 23 points ahead of second-place AS Monaco in the standings after the Principality side drew 2-2 against Stade Malherbe Caen on Friday.
Montpellier — the last club to win the French title before PSG claimed it for three consecutive seasons — continued their recovery under coach Pascal Hantz, extending their unbeaten run to five games.
OGC Nice beat ESTAC Troyes 2-1 and rose to third place, while sixth-place AS Saint-Etienne missed another chance to get closer to the podium spots after drawing 0-0 against promoted Angers SCO.
Lille OSC defeated Stade de Reims 2-0, Girondins de Bordeaux drew with struggling Gazelec Ajaccio 1-1, and Lorient secured a goalless draw at SC Bastia.
PSG played without key midfielders Blaise Matuidi and Marco Verratti, who could miss the encounter in London because of injuries. PSG travels to Chelsea for the return leg of their last 16 tie with a 2-1 lead.
Ibrahimovic came off the bench, while David Luiz and Thiago Motta were not used. Blanc also gave 18-year-old midfielder Christopher Nkunku his first start in the top flight.
“I prefer that scenario than winning and ending up with players injured,” Blanc said.
After Cavani hit the woodwork, Pionnier thwarted another effort from the Uruguay international and saved a curled free-kick from Di Maria. Ibrahimovic had the chance to snatch a last-minute win for the hosts, but lost his one-on-one with Pionnier.
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