Paris Saint-Germain opened their championship defense with a dreary 0-0 home draw against Lorient in the French league, with star forward Kylian Mbappe watching from the stands.
Mbappe, Neymar, and Marco Verratti were all left out by new PSG coach Luis Enrique on Saturday at Parc des Princes.
Mbappe led the Ligue 1 scoring charts last season with 29 goals, but he did not play against Lorient due to a contract dispute. He wants to play this season and then depart for free when his contract expires, but PSG wants to sell him to prevent that from happening.
Mbappe sat pensively with his younger brother Ethan as PSG battled to break down a well-organized Lorient, who hit the post in the 43rd minute from midfielder Laurent Abergel’s attempt and went close near the end through midfielder Romain Faivre.
PSG debuts for central defender Milan Skriniar, attacking midfielder Marco Asensio, and forward Goncalo Ramos were all ineffective.
Neymar exercised alone on Friday, according to the club, since he was recovering from a viral virus. However, Neymar may leave Paris this summer. Verratti and Neymar have been linked with moves to Saudi Arabia’s lucrative league.
Earlier, Nice and Lille drew 1-1, and Marseille won 2-1 at home against Reims thanks to a second-half goal from Portugal forward Vitinha.
Marseille’s new coach Marcelino rested veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the return leg of a Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos next Tuesday. Marseille is down 1-0 after finishing third in the French league last season.
Marseille struggled at home last season, and the game at Stade Velodrome got off to a horrible start when Japan attacker Junya Ito put the visitors ahead in the 10th minute.
Following the equalizer by midfielder Azzedine Ounahi midway through the first half, Ito and Vitinha both had goals disallowed in quick succession.
However, a club-record signing In the 73rd minute, Vitinha sprinted onto a cross from winger Ismaila Sarr and clipped the ball over goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf.
