Paris Saint-Germain extended their flawless run across all competitions to eleven consecutive matches on Saturday, defeating Troyes 1-0 at the Parc des Princes courtesy of a first-half header from defender Illia Zabarnyi.
Unlocking the Low-Block at the Parc des Princes
The reigning European champions labored to break down a disciplined Troyes side that arrived in the capital hovering dangerously near the relegation places. Despite dominating possession and forcing the visitors deep into their own half, Luis Enrique’s men struggled to turn territorial advantage into a high volume of clear-cut opportunities against Stephane Dumont’s defensive setup.
The breakthrough arrived in the 39th minute. Following a quickly taken corner-kick routine initiated by Désiré Doué, midfielder Senny Mayulu whipped an inviting cross into the penalty area. Ukrainian international Illia Zabarnyi rose above the markers to power a header past goalkeeper Denis Petric, sealing his second goal of the campaign.
Troyes nearly punished PSG’s inability to kill off the fixture in the second half. Renaud Ripart squandered a golden chance to equalize by shooting wide from a promising position, while substitute Lucas Maronnier saw a late effort chalked off for offside. goal.com reported that Luis Enrique acknowledged the difficulty of the encounter, noting that the visitors defended with exceptional organization.
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F11%2Ficonsport-378340-0105-1-6aea4bc320c27446288113.jpg "Photo: Sports Mole")
Milestone Win Amid a Depleted Squad
The narrow triumph ensures the capital club heads into the final international break of the calendar year with a maximum haul of points and a three-point cushion over second-placed Paris FC at the summit of Ligue 1. UA.NEWS reported that this eleven-match winning streak stands as the longest sequence under Enrique since the Spanish tactician assumed managerial control in 2023. The success also delivered a seventh consecutive victory in Ligue 1 for the team.
The victory carried added weight given PSG’s extensive injury list. Key personnel including Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, Nuno Mendes, Maghnes Akliouche, and captain Marquinhos were unavailable for selection. Achraf Hakimi was granted a period of rest, while midfielder João Neves began the fixture among the substitutes.
| Competition Metric | Paris Saint-Germain | Troyes |
|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1 Position | 1st | Relegation Zone |
| Matchday Result | 1 (Zabarnyi ’39) | 0 |
Speaking after the final whistle, Enrique emphasized the unique psychological hurdle of conquering fixtures sandwiched directly between international windows. The manager expressed deep satisfaction with the collective mentality displayed by a rotated squad that managed to grind out a result despite missing several foundational starters. Eleven wins in a row – that’s good. But what stands out for me is that we’ve managed to win all our matches between the two international breaks. It’s the first time we’ve done that. As is usually the case against teams who are in a tricky position in the table, it was a difficult match. I think we created more chances than usual, we were looking to score more goals, but they defended very well,
Enrique told PSG TV. The manager added: I’m very pleased, especially when we win this sort of match. Congratulations to the supporters, it was an important day. Winning this match was special, as it always is when we play at the Parc des Princes. We’re delighted, and I hope we have many more years to share together, it’s very important for the club,
noting the electric atmosphere and the bond between the squad and the club’s vocal supporters.
Match-winner Zabarnyi also reflected on the hard-fought victory and his scoring form. Everything in the team is working well.
Stiff Tests Awaiting on the Horizon
With domestic duties paused temporarily for international commitments, the immediate priority shifts to recovery and fitness management ahead of a demanding winter fixture list. When club football resumes in approximately two weeks, PSG face a tricky away trip to test their mettle against Nice.
That domestic resumption will serve as an immediate dress rehearsal before attention pivots back to continental competition.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
