Bilbao: Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon put in a superb performance to help Athletic Bilbao to a 0-0 draw with Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
Simon, 28, made a string of saves in the Basque Country to keep the hosts’ hopes of a play-off spot alive. The Parisians were frustrated by Athletic and Simon but move up to third in the table with two rounds of the league phase to play, including January 20’s trip to Sporting Lisbon and hosting Newcastle eight days later, and are in line to reach the last 16.
“We always want victory,” Vitinha told Canal+. “The problem is that in a game like that, in the Champions League, when you don’t score it becomes difficult. “We wasted too many chances, it can happen but it’s the difference in that type of match,” the Portugal midfielder added.
Spaniard Alex Berenguer kept his place on the right wing for Ernesto Valverde’s side having scored his first league goal of the season in last Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Athletico Madrid.
Portugal’s Nuno Mendes started at left-back for the visitors having missed their last two league games with a thigh issue. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele was rested due to an illness.
The best chance of the opening half an hour fell to PSG’s Fabian Ruiz but he was unable to hit the target with a half volley after Senny Mayulu’s floated pass. Barely 10 seconds from the break 56-time international Simon was finally tested as he blocked Mayulu’s effort from short range after a first half where the Parisians struggled to deal with the home side’s high press.
