Rival Watch: Victory for PSG ahead of Champions League clash with FC Barcelona

Paris Saint-Germain warmed up for their last 16 second leg Champions League meeting with FC Barcelona with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Nancy in Ligue 1. Coach Unai Emery rested several first choice players for the game in the Parc des Princes with Rabiot, Marquinhos, Di María and Motta all left out.

The current league champions were made to work hard for all three points by a Nancy side who came into the game just a point above the relegation zone. Busin almost put the visitors ahead in the second half when his effort came back off the post twice. It was Uruguayan Edinson Cavani who saved the day for PSG with an 80th minute penalty after Aurier had been brought down in the box . The 1-0 victory means PSG are now level on points in Ligue 1 with leaders AS Monaco who play on Sunday evening at home to Nantes.

In La Liga, a Real Madrid without Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale came through a tough test with a 4-1 away win at surprise package of the season Eibar. The Basques came into the contest in seventh place in the table but a first half goal from James and two from Benzema before the break put them on ropes. In the second half Asensio added another for Zidane’s team before Rubén Peña’s consolation effort. Barça’s 5-0 win at home to Celta mean the blaugranes remain top of the table just a point ahead of rivals Real Madrid who have a game in hand on Luis Enrique’s team.