MONTPELLIER - PSG
Montpellier-PSG Ligue 1 Conforama. match report, goals, action
PSG really missed Neymar on their trip down south to Montpellier as they drew a blank against the hosts with few chances for a goal.
Montpellier 0 - 0 PSG: match report
Paris Saint-Germain lost their perfect start to the Ligue 1 season as they struggled to a 0-0 draw at Montpellier on Saturday without the injured Neymar.
With the world's most expensive player on the sidelines to ensure his fitness for Tuesday's Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, PSG were uninspiring in attack against a stubborn Montpellier side playing in a 5-4-1 formation.
Rising star Kylian Mbappe had the best of the visitors' chances, but the 18-year-old was profligate in front of goal as Unai Emery's men could only extend their lead at the top of the table over reigning champions Monaco to one point.
Montpellier 0 - 0 PSG: as it happened
Montpellier vs PSG: match preview
PSG sit somewhat comfortably in first place, with Monaco three points behind them, despite a scare against Lyon the last day out while Montpellier are themselves coming off a win and sit in 12th place.
(Check out AS English's How and where to watch guide here.)
Montpellier
Captained by 40-year-old Brazilian, Hilton, Montpellier got their second win of the season last weekend when they beat Troyes 1-0 away from home to catapult them up to 12th with seven points after six games. However, that win came on the back of two losses, a draw and another loss.
The last time PSG travelled to face the side, they were beaten 3-0 thanks to goals from Paul Lasne, Ellyes Skhiri and recently-departed Ryad Boudebouz. PSG were flying high in Ligue 1 at the time and got landed back down to earth with the loss but that was, of course, before the arrival of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe among others.
They will be relying on the trickery of former Sunderland and West Brom attacker midfielder, Stephan Sessegnon but will need help up front as €2.5 million summer signing, Giovanni Sio has not hit the ground running scoring just one goal in his four league appearances.
Montpellier possible line-up: Lecomte, Mukiele, Congre, Mendes, Aguilar, Skhiri, Lasne, Sessegnon, Roussillon, Sio.
PSG
The big news for PSG came on Friday when Neymar was ruled out with a slight foot injury that Unai Emery did not want to risk with Bayern Munich coming midweek in the Champions League.
Neymar and Cavani's bust-up over a penalty that the Uruguayuan subsequently took and missed seems to be forgotten about. The Brazilian reportedly apologised and all is good but make no mistake that this will be the main talking point before PSG's trip south to the port town of Montpellier.
Dani Alves was questioned for his role in a childish free-kick routine that ended up with Neymar placing the ball despite Cavani's protests. Diego Forlan criticised him along with others but Unai Emery seems unconvinced that this will create problems in his squad.
"Saturday is an important match. We take the games one after the other and we're now 100% focussed on this trip. They're always difficult games against them. We haven't forgotten that we lost there last season. There's almost a sense of revenge about it," says Marco Verratti, who is cleared to play after serving a suspension.
On the injury front, Unai Emery says, "We still have Friday's training session ahead of us, but Today (Thursday), Verratti and Di Maria felt good. The latter trained with the squad and is making good progress. There is no problem concerning Verratti. Pastore is still working with the physios and will not be ready for Saturday. The others are all going well; they will be ready for Saturday."