3 key takeaways from PSG's stalemate against Bilbao

Last night, Paris Saint-Germain were held to a stalemate 0-0 draw against Spanish side Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés in their sixth Champions League games of the season. The game has seen Nuno Mendes and Désiré Doué make their return to competition after their respective injury while Paris made a huge step to secure a top 8 finish in the League phase of the Champions League.

Here are the three main talking points from PSG's Champions League clash against Bilbao.

3 main talking points following PSG's draw against Bilbao

1. Safonov is a real option in between the posts

This week, Russia international Matvey Safonov has played his first two games of the season and displayed most of his talent on and off the ball with PSG. With Lucas Chevalier side-lined after a tough challenge in the loss to Monaco last week, Safonov had a massive chance to showcase himself to his coach and the world as he could potentially leave this winter, looking for a bigger role somewhere in Europe.

Against Rennes first in Ligue 1 and then against Bilbao in the Champions League, the Russian made several key saves and managed to keep two clean sheets with two impressive performances. Moreover, on the ball, he showcased his calm and ability to be important for his sides when building from the back.

2. Désiré Doué and Nuno Mendes are back

The biggest news of the night for PSG were certainly the returns of Nuno Mendes and Désiré Doué on the pitch. The France international has played his first game with the European Champions since his muscular injury on October 29 as he came on after 60 minutes. Meanwhile, Nuno Mendes started the game and played 90 minutes.

Their return will be crucial for the club has they prepare to face a tough calendar in the upcoming weeks. Hopefully, they will managed to remain fit, avoiding any more injury setbacks as this side needs to gain momentum to reach their best when the moment comes in the Champions League and in domestic competitions.

3. Spot in the

PSG sit at the third spot of the Champions League league phase table with 13 points, two points behind Bayern Munich at the second spot and just one point ahead of Atlético Madrid at eighth place. Therefore, they have already guaranteed their spot in the playoffs of the competition.

Luis Enrique and his team should easily secure a top 8 finish and qualify directly for the knockout stage of the competition with one more victory in their last two games, which will be played away against Sporting Lisbon and at home against Premier League side Newcastle in January.

It is a heavy contrast with last season's result that have seen the future Champions League winners scrap through the last spots of the table on the last matchday. It should allow the European Champions to rest while avoiding two difficult games in February.