Paris Saint Germain's Defenders Dismantle Auxerre: Leaders Extend Title Grip

Skip It Futmetrix Score: 35/100. At Parc des Princes, Paris Saint Germain weaponised its defensive superiority into a clinical 2-0 victory over Auxerre, stretching its lead atop Ligue 1 to a chasm.

Relentless Intensity Defines One-Sided Contest

From the opening whistle, the intensity tilts decisively toward the hosts. A barrage of 27 shots—11 on target—turns Parc des Princes into a shooting gallery. The goalkeepers provide brief resistance with eight combined saves, but it merely delays the inevitable. Vitinha, PSG's orchestrator in midfield, threads the narrative with three key passes, including the assist that releases Ilya Zabarnyi in the 32nd minute for the opener. The balance of power collapses within minutes.

Defenders Become the Architects

Auxerre's nightmare deepens when defenders become goalscorers. Lucas Beraldo, awarded man-of-the-match honours with a 9.2 rating, transcends his role. At the 54th minute, he adds a second, sealing Auxerre's fate. Zabarnyi's brace—rare for a centre-back—underscores PSG's overwhelming superiority across every line. Auxerre manages only three shots on target and an xG of 0.71, a damning indictment of their inability to trouble the hosts. Possession (66% to 34%) tells the fuller story: PSG suffocated the contest.

Stakes Escalate in Title Race

With this victory, PSG extends its lead to nine points—a gap that feels insurmountable. Auxerre, languishing 14th with 6 points and a form line reading LWLLL, sinks deeper into relegation battle territory. Five wins in six matches for PSG versus two wins in six for Auxerre: the chasm between ambition and survival widens with each passing week. Parc des Princes has rendered its verdict.