A determined Paris win at Toulouse!

Between two UEFA Champions League play-off rounds, Paris Saint-Germain returned to Ligue 1 the day after Valentine's Day. At the Stadium, aiming to extend their incredible away streak, the club from the capital and their maestro, Luis Enrique, made a few changes to their starting line-up.

Safonov started in goal, Hakimi wore the captain’s armband, while Beraldo, Lee and Mayulu were also in the starting line-up. In attack, without Dembélé, the visitors lined up with Doué, Barcola and Kvaratskhelia.

The hosts were the first to threaten the opposition’s box—first with a dangerous, curling cross (1'), then with a long-range shot that missed the target (11'). Safonov was tested from a corner, but the Russian goalkeeper stood firm (13').

This early Toulouse pressure sparked a response from the club from the capital, with Lee attempting a well-curled free kick that sailed just over the bar (25'). A goalless first half saw the Parisians dominate possession but struggle to break down a resilient opponent.

Everything changed in the second half. Safonov was first called into action with a stunning save to deny a powerful shot following a quick counter-attack by Novell’s men. The Parisian goalkeeper stretched out to parry the effort (49’), as if to give his team the boost they needed to get back on track. And it worked!

Just moments later, Mayulu tried his luck from 20 meters out, his shot taking a deflection before landing just behind the Toulouse goal. From the ensuing corner, Luis Enrique’s men broke the deadlock—Pacho unleashed a thunderous header that crashed off the crossbar, falling perfectly for Ruiz, who instinctively slotted it home like a true poacher (0-1, 52’).

Galvanised by their lead, the Parisians pushed forward in search of a decisive second goal to secure the win in a match that was far from over. Lee was the first to try, curling a shot toward the near post but he narrowly missed the target (59’). Then, Barcola found himself thwarted by an unorthodox challenge from Haug, who had replaced Guillaume Restes in the first half (62’).

Though Toulouse refused to surrender, they struggled to break through a well-organised Rouge et Bleu side that maintained control and left little room for their opponents. Safonov and his defenders remained alert, successfully containing the hosts, who ultimately created very few chances in the second half.

The score remained unchanged despite a brief scare in the dying moments. Never truly in danger, the club from the capital return from the Garonne with three more points, further solidifying their lead at the top of the table.