Auxerre 0-0 Paris Saint-Germain: Inspired Leon display frustrates visitors

Auxerre goalkeeper Donovan Leon produced a stunning performance to frustrate Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain as they played out a 0-0 draw on Friday.

The reigning champions remain eight points clear at the summit of the standings, but have now dropped points in consecutive games in their quest for the title.

Luis Enrique’s side thought they had taken the lead in the 27th minute when Bradley Barcola’s cross was turned home by Fabian Ruiz, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Goncalo Ramos had earlier tested Leon with a fine header after neat play between Lee Kang-In and Ruiz, but the Auxerre keeper was equal to it, tipping the ball over.

The Parisiens continued to pile on the pressure after the interval after registering four shots on target in the first half, with Achraf Hakimi testing Leon from distance.

PSG almost found the breakthrough when Vitinha’s curled effort smashed against the crossbar, before Hamed Traore tested Gianluigi Donnarumma at the other end.

Leon was again on hand to preserve Auxerre a point in second-half stoppage time, denying Randal Kolo Muani and Desire Doue with two smart saves in quick succession.

FULL-TIME: Auxerre 0-0 Paris Saint-Germain.

A fine performance from the opposition goalkeeper means the deadlock wasn’t broken tonight.

ALLEZ PARIS #AJAPSG I @Ligue1 pic.twitter.com/hEDvGidlUR

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) December 6, 2024

Data Debrief: You shall not pass!

PSG had scored in all 13 of their Ligue 1 fixtures ahead of Friday’s encounter, but were met with the imposing figure of Leon to halt their scoring streak.

Luis Enrique’s side accumulated an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.89 from their 25 attempts, 11 of which were on target. Since Opta began collecting this data (2006-07), only Bastia have had as many shots on target without finding the net in a Ligue 1 match (11 v Dijon on October 2016).

And that was down to the heroics of Leon, who made 11 saves during the match, the highest tally for a goalkeeper who has kept a clean sheet in the French top-flight, with only Empoli’s Bartlomiej Dragowski (17 against Atalanta in April 2019), saving more in Europe’s top five leagues.

Across Europe’s top five leagues this season, only Leicester City’s Mads Hermansen (13 against Arsenal) has made more saves in a single match than Leon.