Depleted Paris Saint-Germain gave debuts to two teenagers but still won 2-0 at Metz on Friday in a another Ligue 1 game interrupted by fan banners. Angel Di Maria and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored the goals the visitors needed to win an undistinguished game and move to the top of the table. “We won, and that was important,” said Di Maria.

Neymar, who reportedly wants to return to Spain, was again left out of the squad as negotiations over his potential transfer drag on. “It depends on Barcelona. We were open to talk,” PSG sporting director Leonardo said after the game in Metz, adding that there was no agreement yet with Barcelona.

“We have always said that he could leave if a proposal that satisfies us arrives. This is not the case.” Another player who has become the centre of speculation, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, dropped to the bench. Areola, a France international, is reportedly set to go to Real Madrid in a swap for veteran Costa Rican Keylor Navas.

PSG also started without the injured pair of Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani. “It wasn't easy because this week there were a lot of possibilities to be distracted,” said PSG manager Thomas Tuchel. Marcin Bulka started instead of Areola, making his senior professional debut. The 19-year-old Pole arrived in the summer after spending three seasons in the Chelsea youth system.