Clermont Foot 0-0 Paris Saint-Germain: Kylian Mbappe and co left frustrated in goalless draw as champions stumble
Updated 20/03/2025 at 23:53 GMT
Clermont Foot earned a point against Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in a surprise stumble from the French giants on Saturday. Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and the rest were unable to break down the home defence as they dropped two points in their bid to reclaim the league crown. Star striker Mbappe started despite concerns over his fitness.
Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #07 Kylian Mbappe (C) reacts during the French L1 football match between Clermont Foot 63 and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade Gabriel Montpied in Clermont-Ferrand, central France on September 30, 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images
Paris Saint-Germain were held to a frustrating goalless draw by basement side Clermont in Saturday’s Ligue 1 clash.
PSG started the day in third place with just three victories from their opening six games but should have been full of confidence after thrashing Marseille 4-0 the previous weekend.
However, with question marks over Kylian Mbappe’s fitness, the Parisens lacked a cutting edge in attack as they dropped two points in their defence of the league title.
Luis Enrique handed a start to Mbappe despite concerns over the 24-year-old’s fitness after he limped off during the win over Marseille.
But the France international struggled to influence the game, reduced to half chances in a frustrating afternoon for the visitors.
After having an appeal for a penalty turned away, Mbappe almost laid on an assist when he pulled a cross back to Ousmane Dembele, whose first-time shot from the edge of the box forced Mory Diaw into a fine fingertip save.
Clermont had threatened on the counter-attack without testing Gianluigi Donnarumma in the first half, but his opposite number was tested again by Dembele’s volley on the stroke of half-time.
The hosts came firing out of the traps after the restart and would have taken the lead only for the excellent reflexes of Donnarumma. The PSG goalkeeper kept out Shamar Nicholson’s point-blank shot before gathering himself to save Yohann Magnin’s effort on the rebound.
Another opportunity came and went for PSG as Mbappe – who was later booked for simulation – clipped the outside of the post, before Diaw pulled off top-drawer saves to deny substitute Goncalo Ramos and Danilo, as Clermont held on for only their second point of the season.
The result moves PSG above Nice into second but they remain a point behind leaders Brest, who have a game in hand. Clermont, meanwhile, climb above Lyon having clinched just their second point of the season.
Talking point – Should Mbappe have started?
Before kick-off there were strong suggestions that Mbappe would not feature from the start such was the concern over his fitness, but Luis Enrique gambled and included his star striker in his first XI – and he remained on the pitch for the entirety of the match.
It was a risk that didn’t pay off with Mbappe producing an uncharacteristic performance, being robbed of possession on several occasions, failing to create any of the usual magic in the final third and even being booked for a perceived dive.
With a crunch Champions League match with Newcastle to follow on Wednesday, it will now be a race against time for the PSG backroom staff to get Mbappe up to full fitness.
Player of the match – Mory Diaw (Clermont)
The Clermont goalkeeper produced no fewer than 10 saves to help keep Mbappe and co at bay in an inspired performance.
Player ratings
Clermont: Diaw 9*, Seidu 7, Pelmard 6, Caufriez 7, Konate 8, Gonalons 7, Magnin 7, Gastien 6, Allevinah 7, Saracevic 6, Nicholson 6.. subs: Zeffane N/A, Keita N/A, Boutobba N/A, Rashani 5.
Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma 7, Pereira 5, Skriniar 6, Marquinhos 6, Hakimi 5, Vitinha 6, Ruiz 5, Barcola 6, Dembele 6, Kolo Muani 5, Mbappe 6.. subs: Zaire-Emery 5, Ramos 5.
Match highlights
19’ - PSG GO CLOSE! Mbappe drives down the left flank, looks up and pulls it back to Dembele on the edge of the box. His first-time shot is destined for the bottom corner until Diaw gets a fingertip on the ball to push it wide!
41’ - PARRIED AWAY! The unmarked Dembele forces Diaw into a fine save with a fine volley with his left foot!47’ - DOUBLE DONNARUMMA SAVE! Konate's deflected shot falls for Nicholson whose first-time shot is somehow kept out thanks to the excellent reflexes of Donnarumma. The PSG goalkeeper gathers himself to keep out Magnin on the rebound!
54’ - PSG HIT THE POST ON THE COUNTER! Immediately at the opposite end, PSG go close as Dembele runs to the by-line and pulls a cross back to Mbappe, whose shot clips the outside of the post!
90’+ 2 - DANILO... NO! Danilo gets his head on a cross from point-blank range but the inspired Diaw keeps it out with his 10th save of the match!
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