PSG beat Auxerre but suffer fresh injury blows

Paris Saint-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to three points with a 2-0 victory over Auxerre on Saturday, but the win came at a heavy cost as the champions’ injury crisis deepened just days before a crucial Champions League clash with Barcelona.

Already without key figures such as captain Marquinhos, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, young forward Désiré Doué and midfielder João Neves, PSG lost two more players against Auxerre. Midfielder Vitinha limped off late in the first half after assisting the opening goal, while winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was replaced at halftime with a suspected thigh injury.

Despite the setbacks, PSG’s defenders stepped up to deliver the goals. In the 33rd minute, Ukrainian centre-back Illia Zabarnyi scored his first goal for the club since arriving from Bournemouth, stretching to poke home Vitinha’s cross from the left. Just minutes later, Vitinha was forced off the field, adding to coach Luis Enrique’s concerns.

The second came early in the second half. Brazilian defender Lucas Beraldo rose highest to head in Senny Mayulu’s delivery, sealing the 2-0 victory at Parc des Princes.

The result lifted PSG to 15 points from six matches, three ahead of Marseille, Monaco, Lyon and Strasbourg, who are tied on 12 points and separated only by goal difference. Lyon, however, have the chance to draw level when they face Lille on Sunday.

Monaco falter again

Earlier in the day, Monaco missed the chance to apply pressure on PSG as they fell to a 3-1 defeat away at Lorient. It was their second league loss of the season and came after defensive frailties once again undermined Adi Hütter’s attack-minded team.

The game turned in Lorient’s favour after Monaco captain Thilo Kehrer was sent off in the 38th minute for a second yellow card. Moments later, striker Mohamed Bamba converted from close range to put the hosts ahead.

Monaco’s Spanish forward Ansu Fati, who had scored three times in two previous substitute appearances, began on the bench but was introduced in the second half. However, Lorient’s Pablo Pagis stole the show, scoring twice and following in the footsteps of his father Mickaël, a former Ligue 1 forward.

Fati managed a late consolation, converting a penalty in stoppage time, but it did little to mask Monaco’s defensive woes. They have now conceded 10 goals in six league games and were recently thrashed 4-1 by Club Bruges in the Champions League.

Lorient’s victory, their second of the season, lifted them to midtable and provided much-needed momentum.

Elsewhere, Toulouse battled back twice to secure a 2-2 draw at home against Nantes. Mayckel Lahdo and Louis Leroux scored for the visitors, while Yann Gboho and Aron Dönnum earned the hosts a point.