Champions League: PSG held to goalless draw by Athletic Bilbao

The point lifts PSG to third in the table as they prepare for a demanding run-in featuring an away trip to Sporting Lisbon on 20 January and a home fixture against Newcastle eight days later.

Unai Simon, Bilbao's 28-year-old Spain international goalkeeper, produced a standout performance that underpinned the hosts' resilience.

He thwarted Senny Mayulu from close range just before the interval and denied the young PSG attacker again three minutes into the second half with an exceptional reflex stop.

Simon was beaten only once, when Bradley Barcola's effort struck the crossbar, and he later pushed out a late attempt from Fabián Ruiz before captain Yuri Berchiche cleared the rebound off the line.

Manager Ernesto Valverde retained Spaniard Alex Berenguer on the right flank after the winger scored his first league goal of the season in the 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid the previous weekend.

Athletic's high-pressing blueprint unsettled PSG for long spells, forcing errors and limiting the visitors' ability to dictate the tempo.

PSG, meanwhile, welcomed Nuno Mendes back into the starting XI after the left-back missed two league matches with a thigh problem.

Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele was unavailable through illness, placing additional creative responsibility on Mayulu, who fashioned several opportunities.

"The match was close, very difficult, especially in the first half. We deserved the victory, we could have won this match," said coach Luis Enrique.

"I think we started well, we saw their high press, we had chances in the second half. The team's level is normal for a European champion, with this very unusual start to the season, without all our players.

"I am confident. This result is a shame, but the group is calm. We have to win one more match. Marquinhos? I don't know, we'll have to wait and see, he asked to be substituted at halftime, we'll see tomorrow." 

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