PARIS, Sept 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Injury-hit Paris Saint-Germain warmed up 
for a Champions League showdown with Barcelona by easing to a 2-0 win over 
Auxerre on Saturday which took them back to the top of the Ligue 1 table.

Illia Zabarnyi got his first PSG goal since arriving from Bournemouth in the 
close season and fellow defender Lucas Beraldo also scored as the reigning 
French and European champions bounced back from a 1-0 defeat in Marseille 
last Monday.

The result allowed Luis Enrique's team, after six games this season, to move 
three points clear at the top of table ahead of a quartet of clubs in 
Marseille, Monaco, Lyon and Strasbourg.

Marseille came from behind to win 2-1 in Strasbourg on Friday to go 
provisionally top with Amir Murillo scoring the decisive goal in stoppage 
time. Monaco slumped to a 3-1 defeat away in Lorient earlier on Saturday.

Fresh from winning the Ballon d'Or earlier this week, Ousmane Dembele was 
among the PSG stars watching from the stands at the Parc des Princes as he 
continues his recovery from a thigh injury.

Desire Doue, captain Marquinhos and Joao Neves were also missing for Luis 
Enrique's team here, while stand-in captain Vitinha came off in the first 
half and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was replaced at half-time.

PSG will hope to have both players fit for the mouthwatering game in 
Barcelona on Wednesday, with their squad currently looking thin -- Spanish 
midfield star Fabian Ruiz also sat out Saturday's game.

"Unfortunately I can't say anything. We need to wait for the medical staff to 
tell us tomorrow or the day after what kind of injuries they have," said Luis 
Enrique.

"We have to stay positive because we need to be able to manage this 
situation," he added of the injuries piling up.

"Paris Saint-Germain are not the only team with injuries. It is the case for 
every team with such an intense calendar."

- Monaco beaten -

Teenagers Senny Mayulu and Ibrahim Mbaye were among the starters for PSG 
against Auxerre, while youngsters Quentin Ndjantou and Mathis Jangeal were 
given senior debuts off the bench in the second half.

Zabarnyi opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark, applying a 
cushioned finish to a Vitinha cross following a short corner.

Brazilian centre-back Beraldo then headed home from a Mayulu cross early in 
the second half, leaving Auxerre with too much to do.

The visitors did have chances to reduce the deficit, however, with Kevin 
Danois crashing a shot against the post and Cameroon international Danny 
Namaso forcing a good save from home goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.

"Auxerre defended well but we played very well in the circumstances. I am 
pleased with what I saw," added Luis Enrique.

Monaco played most of the game with 10 men in their defeat at Lorient after 
captain Thilo Kehrer was sent off for a second yellow card late in the first 
half in Brittany.

Lorient went ahead moments later courtesy of a Mohamed Bamba goal, and 
substitute Pablo Pagis then scored a late brace to make sure of a fine win 
for the newly-promoted hosts.

On-loan Barcelona forward Ansu Fati pulled one back for Monaco with a 
stoppage-time penalty, but his fourth goal in the last three games in all 
competitions was scant consolation.

The principality side -- for whom Paul Pogba is still yet to make his debut 
after arriving in the close season -- have worryingly now let in nine goals 
in their last three matches as they prepare to host Manchester City in the 
Champions League in midweek.

Toulouse and Nantes drew 2-2 in Saturday's other game in the French top 
flight.