With PSG’s cushion at the summit coming into this game perhaps in his thinking, Luis Enrique made six changes from their 3-0 midweek UEFA Champions League win at Brest, including dropping talisman Ousmane Dembele to the bench.
The number of alterations perhaps explained why although the visitors had the majority of the possession in the early stages, they struggled to create chances, while at the other end, Charlie Cresswell should have done better with his header from Aron Donnum’s corner on 14 minutes, which was held by visiting goalkeeper Matvey Safonov.
Donnum was also diligent in his defensive work, often shackling the threat from Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue, and the Dane’s pinpoint quick free-kick then released Zakaria Aboukhlal midway through the first half, only for the Moroccan forward to fire wastefully over when bearing down on goal.
Safonov’s opposite number Guillaume Restes meanwhile only made his first save in the 29th minute from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s harmless deflected shot.
However, the 19-year-old was really tested not once but twice soon afterwards, tipping Lucas Beraldo’s 20-yard strike onto his left-hand post, before moments later rushing out to deny Barcola, whose follow-up was smashed over from an angle.
Unfortunately for Toulouse however, Restes was forced off with an apparent leg injury shortly before half-time and replaced by Kjetil Haug.
At the break, Enrique would have been demanding more attacking incision, and despite Toulouse beginning the second period the brighter, PSG got what proved to be the winner on 52 minutes when Lee Kang-In’s inswinging corner was pawed onto his crossbar by Haug and Fabian Ruiz was on hand to convert the rebound.
Doue was soon left frustrated at his poor close-range effort, and although Enrique introduced Dembele as part of a triple substitution just after the hour, the floodgates didn’t open as PSG ultimately ground out a hard-fought victory.
PSG’s next assignment is their second leg against Brest on Wednesday in their quest to reach the Champions League last 16, while Toulouse are now without a win in six Ligue 1 games, so will look to end that run at relegation-threatened Le Havre next Sunday.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain)