Bradley Barcola proved to be the difference-maker once again as PSG secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Auxerre at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps, keeping the pressure on league leaders Lens.
In a clash that tested the patience of Luis Enrique’s side, the Parisians dominated possession but struggled to penetrate a resilient Auxerre defense for much of the evening. Despite the creative efforts of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Barcola in the first half, the deadlock remained unbroken at the interval, with the home side nearly scoring on the counter through Kévin Danois.
Luis Enrique’s Tactical Masterstroke
With the game heading towards a frustrating draw, Luis Enrique turned to his bench, introducing Ousmane Dembélé and Desiré Doué to inject fresh energy into the final third. The tactical shift paid immediate dividends in the 79th minute following a defensive lapse by Auxerre.
After clearing a corner, PSG launched a devastating counter-attack. Dembélé provided a pinpoint assist for Bradley Barcola, who showed immense composure to chip the ball over the advancing goalkeeper. It was Barcola’s clinical edge that ensured PSG returned to the capital with all three points.
✅ Trois points à Auxerre ! #AJAPSG I @Ligue1 pic.twitter.com/02esSs7akP
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) January 23, 2026
The Race for the Title
The win moves PSG to 45 points, maintaining their second-place position as they continue to chase Lens in a thrilling Ligue 1 title race. For Auxerre, the defeat is a significant blow to their survival hopes; with only 12 points, they remain mired in the relegation zone in 17th place.
Match Summary
- Result: Auxerre 0-1 PSG
- Goal: Bradley Barcola (79’)
- Assist: Ousmane Dembélé
- Standings: PSG (2nd – 45 pts), Auxerre (17th – 12 pts)
Thiago Nuno is a football editor and analyst covering European leagues, match statistics, and transfer market trends.
