Defenders on scoresheet as PSG back to winning ways after routine win against Auxerre

PSG bounced back from last Monday's defeat to Marseille with a fairly routine 2-0 home win against Auxerre. Illia Zabarnyi and Lucas Beraldo scored, once in each half, to send the Parisians to the top of the table.

The game was preceded by a celebration in honour of Ousmane Dembélé's Ballon D'or win, for which the Parisians ultras made a tifo, and the Frenchman presented his trophy to the cheering supporters at the Parc des Princes. Alongside him were captain Marquinhos, presenting the club of the year award, and coach Luis Enrique, presenting the manager of the year award. Dembélé and Marquinhos are both currently recovering from injury issues, and thus were among a number of PSG players sidelined in the match.

Paris bounced back before the Champions League

The game itself started slowly, with a heavily rotated PSG team eventually breaking down Auxerre's after half an hour, when Vitinha - starting after having finished third in Monday's Ballon d'Or voting - chipped a brilliant through pass onto the foot of Iljia Zabarnyj, who knocked the ball past Auxerre keeper Donovan Léon. It was Zabarnyj's first goal in PSG colours after a summer transfer from Premier League outfit Bournemouth, and it was a well taken finish from the 23 year old Ukrainian centre-back, who looked composed in front of goal despite his defensive role.

Nine minutes into the second half, PSG's lead was doubled, as Senny Mayulu's fine cross was powerfully headed home by Zabarnyj's centre-back partner Lucas Beraldo, who scored his fourth goal for PSG, and his first of the season. It was a fairly routine run-out for the Parisians, and Luis Enrique after the game praised his side for their patience against Auxerre's defense, stating that: 'We were patient in creating spaces, and we ended up creating a lot of chances. It's a deserved result, and the 'titis' [Youngsters] were able to come on at the end to make their debuts.'

Indeed, yesterday's game saw first PSG appearances for academy graduates Mathis Jeangeal and Quentin Enzo Leo Ndjantou Mbitcha, 17 and 18 years old respectively. Their appearances from the bench in a Ligue Un match is testament both to Luis Enrique's faith in PSG's academy, and to the thinness of PSG's currently injury ravaged squad. Enrique highlighted how important he felt it was to know that these youngsters were good enough to be called upon after the game.

Both youngsters, interviewed after the game, spoke of their pride at making their debuts in a home game in front of a supportive audience, and about the importance of this day in their careers after long academy pathways for both.

However, some more injury concerns also popped up, with both Vitinha and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia limping off, a dire sight ahead of Wednesday's Champions League match away at Barcelona. The gravity of their injury remains unclear, and Enrique stated in his post match interview that the situation will remain uncertain until tomorrow at the earliest.

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