Slovan break their duck as PSG end with nine

Paris Saint-Germain FC endured a frustrating evening in the Slovak capital as the Ligue 1 leaders had two men sent off and were held to a goalless draw by ŠK Slovan Bratislava.

Beaten by Athletic Club last time out, PSG arrived in chilly Bratislava looking for the gratifying warmth of victory. However, with the vistiors' ambitions undermined by the dismissals of Clément Chantôme just after the hour and Siaka Tiéné with ten minutes left, Slovan registered a deserved first point in UEFA Europa League Group F.

While the PSG squad has been lavishly assembled, Slovan's has been more modestly crafted, but Vladimír Weiss's men made light of the divide. One patient build-up almost propelled the hosts into an early lead, but Igor Žofčák's well-struck shot was deflected narrowly wide with Nicolas Douchez scrambling.

Given their collective talent, it was inevitable PSG would create their own openings. Jérémy Menez's searing pace took him in behind only for Lukáš Hroššo to parry his low shot and the loose ball was cleared as Mevlüt Erdinç sought to pounce.

Menez's fleet of foot and intelligence was a major source of discomfort for Slovan, and another jinking run from the French international took him past a pair of challenges before he teed up Javier Pastore, whose shot lacked direction.

PSG no doubt possessed the greater finesse, but the hosts' indefatigable industry and unflinching discipline kept them at bay. When PSG did get a sight of goal, Hroššo was well positioned to turn away Menez's low drive.

Chantôme's dismissal evened things up still more, and a clever Slovan corner provoked a goalmouth melee in which only the timely intervention of Zoumana Camara prevented Karim Guédé stabbing the ball into the net. Both sides still could have won it after Tiéné was sent off, but Hroššo turned Nenê's angled shot behind, before the impressive Mamadou Bagayoko fired beyond Douchez's far post.