Paris: In a match without head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who tested positive for COVID-19 before the game, Paris Saint-Germain edged Angers 1-0 on Saturday to go top of the Ligue 1 standings as defender LayvinKurzawa scored the winning goal for the defending champion.
Assistant coaches Jesus Perez and Miguel D'Agostino took charge of PSG in the game while Pochettino was self-isolating after the announcement on Friday that he had been infected by the virus, only two weeks after taking the job.
Kurzawa volleyed home 20 minutes from time to notch the win for PSG, extending its unbeaten run to seven games meanwhile sending the capital club two points clear of former front-runner Lyon, who hosts Metz on Sunday.
"It was a very difficult match. Angers are a very well organized team," Perez said. "We were in contact with Mauricio. He spoke to the players before the match via video at the hotel."
"We spoke before the match, at half-time and just afterward. We will of course be in contact during the week."
Seventh-placed Angers managed 11 shots from its only 39 percent ball possession, four of which were on target.
"We weren't far off," Angers defender Romain Thomas said. "We prepared for the game very well and it's a pity we couldn't open the scoring."
Earlier in the day, last season's runner-up Marseille suffered another blow as it was defeated by tailender Nimes 2-1 at home.
Andre Villas-Boas's side has only won one game in the past six league matches, sitting in sixth place after the setback, 10 points off pace-setter PSG with two games in hand.
Florian Thauvin missed a penalty for Marseille in the first half. Swedish midfielder NiclasEliasson struck twice in four minutes to secure the win for Nimes. Benedetto pulled one back for the hosts with five minutes left.
Newly-promoted Lorient's home game against Dijon, which was scheduled on Sunday, was canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the side.
Under protocols agreed at the beginning of September, matches are postponed if a team does not have 20 players with negative tests available. Agencies
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