PARIS -- Paris Saint-Germain and OGC Nice labored to a 0-0 draw as Mauricio Pochettino's men failed once more to click at Parc des Princes on Wednesday in Ligue 1.

The French giants might well be comfortable at the Championnat summit, but it was a wretched showing in front of goal which reflected little urgency from the hosts.

Mbappe looked disinterested and missed his best chances which was provided by seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi while the South American was once again inefficient in front of goal.

Neymar's absence was expected to make things simpler going forward but it remained equally dissatisfactory regardless of who was pulling the trigger.

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"I think we were better than they were. We had chances but did not score," Pochettino said after the match. "We deserved to win but these games happen in a season. We play with what we have. Creating chances is the most important thing. Some of it was inefficiency, some was their goalkeeper. It happens."

Nice came closest to breaking the deadlock when Kasper Dolberg somehow struck the post instead of the back of the net in a major let-off for Les Parisiens.

Gianluigi Donnrumma also had to be alert on numerous occasions to ensure that Christophe Galtier's men did not find a way through.

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Ultimately, it makes little difference at the Ligue 1 summit with PSG still clear by double figures but the disappointing reality of Messi combining with Mbappe and/or Neymar is growing more tedious by the game.

Even with Angel Di Maria added to the mix, there was barely any fluency going forward and Marco Verratti's second half introduction failed to spark any life.

Not since early 2017 had PSG played out a goalless draw at Parc des Princes in Ligue 1 but that was this midweek's fare to the disappointment of the home support.

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Based on their showings so far this season, Messi, Mbappe and Neymar, assuming this is their only season playing together, have been a major disappointment.