Unai Simon’s superb goalkeeping display earned Athletic Bilbao a vital 0-0 draw against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League
ATHLETIC BILBAO goalkeeper Unai Simon produced a man-of-the-match performance to secure a 0-0 draw against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Spain international made a string of crucial saves to keep the Champions League holders at bay at San Mames.
The result keeps Athletic’s hopes of securing a play-off spot alive in the competition’s league phase.
PSG, now third in the table, were left frustrated by their inability to convert numerous chances.
“We always want victory,” PSG midfielder Vitinha told Canal+.
“The problem is that in a game like that, in the Champions League, when you don’t score it becomes difficult.”
The Portuguese added that his side “wasted too many chances” which proved decisive.
The visitors’ best opportunity in the first half fell to Fabian Ruiz, who failed to hit the target from a Senny Mayulu pass.
Simon was finally called into action just before half-time, blocking a close-range effort from Mayulu.
The 28-year-old produced an outstanding save to deny the same player again three minutes after the restart.
PSG thought they had broken the deadlock in the second half, but Bradley Barcola’s shot cannoned off the crossbar.
Simon was beaten late on, but captain Yuri Berchiche cleared Fabian Ruiz’s follow-up effort off the line.
The draw leaves both teams’ Champions League fates to be decided in the final two rounds of the league phase. – AFP
