PLAYER RATINGS | Auxerre 0-1 PSG: Bradley Barcola secures three points on a difficult night for Les Parisiens | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 19, 23/01/2025

In what was a difficult test for PSG, the Ligue 1 champions secured three points against Auxerre at the Stade de l’Abbé Deschamps. Bradley Barcola scored the only goal of the game with a lofted effort in the 80th minute. 

The match

Luis Enrique’s rotated Les Parisiens created the first chance of the game through Bradley Barcola. The former Lyon attacker was through on goal against Léon, but he couldn’t beat the Auxerre stopper. He was called into action again just 15 seconds later, as Barcola tried his luck from a tight angle. Despite a positive start, the hosts were not without their threats. Danny Namaso and Lassine Sinayoko caused problems, and almost combined for L’AJA with a cross narrowly evading the Porto loanee. 

Although Auxerre showed glimpses of quality on the ball, PSG dominated possession and continued to push forward as they searched for the opening goal. The Ligue 1 champions almost found it through Gonçalo Ramos, yet Léon was there again to deny the Portuguese international striker’s header with a superb reaction stop. 

Léon was called into action for a fourth and fifth time before the first half was over. The French goalkeeper made a crucial save from Kvaratskheilia’s close-range shot after Vitinha’s free kick caused problems in the penalty area. His initial save found its way to Mbaye, who hoped to find the net at the second attempt, but Léon was on hand once again to keep the score level at the break. 

Namaso threatened from a distance in the early stages of the second half, but his effort was too strong and failed to test Chevalier. Barcola has PSG’s first opportunity after the break with a delicate chip which found the roof of the net. The Frenchman did well to get in behind the Auxerre defence. From the bench, Désiré Doué then missed an open goal. Barcola lofted the ball over the onrushing Léon and found his compatriot, who didn’t really commit to his shot and directed his effort wide. 

It took 80 minutes, but Les Parisiens finally found a way to beat Léon through Barcola. Following an Auxerre corner, PSG counter-attacked with pace, and Dembélé played his compatriot through on goal. The French forward lifted the ball over the L’AJA stopper, who managed to get a touch on the effort, but it wasn’t enough to keep the ball out of his goal.   

PSG player ratings:

Lucas Chevalier – 5

Lucas Beraldo – 5

Illia Zabarnyi – 6

Lucas Hernández – 5

Warren Zaïre-Emery – 5

Vitinha – 6

Senny Mayulu – 5

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia – 6

Operating in a freer attacking role, the Georgian international looked the most likely to find the back of the net for the French capital club. The former Napoli forward saw an effort blocked by Diomandé after some good feet and was denied by Léon from close range. 

Gonçalo Ramos – 5

Ibrahim Mbaye – 5

Bradley Barcola – 7

Selected Auxerre player ratings:

Donavon Léon – 8 

With 23 saves in his last 3 appearances against the UEFA Champions League winners, the Frenchman picked up where he left off as Les Parisiens visited Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps. Léon made an astonishing 5 saves in the first half alone, including terrific stops to deny Barcola and Ramos. 

Lassine Sinayoko – 6 

Danny Namaso – 6

GFFN | Liam Wraith