(CNN) Paris Saint Germain's scorching 16-game winning streak came to an end Saturday as it was held to a scoreless draw at home to mid-table Lille.
PSG manager Laurent Blanc made numerous changes with one eye on Tuesday's last-16 Champions League tie against Chelsea.
Leading marksmen Zlatan Ibrahimovic and captain Thiago Silva were the two most obvious absentees while the likes of Angel Di Maria and Marco Verratti started on the bench.
Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani spurned the Parisian's best chance of the afternoon, missing when presented with a golden opportunity early in the second half.
Lille goalkeeper, Vincent Enyama, also saved from Lucas, Jean-Kevin Augustin and Layvin Kurzawa to keep the Parisians out.
Despite being unable to take the win, PSG remains a comfortable 25 points ahead of second placed Monaco.
"We needed to avoid injuries and we did so. All that was missing was the two points we dropped," PSG manager Laurent Blanc told reporters after the match.
"We could have played better but I can't knock my players for their spirit. We had five or six clear chances but Lille never gave up and I am quite satisfied. This match was difficult to play for multiple reasons."
Chelsea prepared for it's Parisian date with an emphatic 5-1 home victory at home to Newcastle United.
Manager Guus Hiddink had said before the game his side were a "Zorro team" in reference to the face mask been worn by striker Diego Costa to protect further damage to a facial injury he sustained in training this week.
Teammates Cesc Fabregas, Cesar Azpilicueta and Nemanja Matic have all donned face guards, which bear a striking resemblance to the mysterious mask worn by the fictional comic book hero, at different stages this season.
And it was Spanish marksman Costa who opened the scoring for Chelsea before a Pedro Rodriguez double, either side of Willian's close range finish put Chelsea on easy street.
Youngster Bertrand Traore added a fifth before Andros Townsend grabbed a late consolation for Newcastle.
There was concern for the Blues, however, as captain, John Terry, was forced off through injury late in the first half.
Elsewhere in the EPL Saturday, Louis Van Gaal's struggles continued as his Manchester United side went down 2-1 away to struggling Sunderland.
United remain fifth in the table but the Dutchman admitted that it would be difficult to claim a Champions League place when speaking to the BBC after the match.
Manchester City is six points ahead of its cross-town rival in fourth place and can stretch that gap further with victory at home to Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow.
Sunday's other big EPL clash sees surprise league leaders Leicester City visit third placed Arsenal.
Real Madrid moved to within a point of Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table as it overcame Athletic Bilbao 4-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice during the course of the win but Real was reduced to 10 men in the closing stages after French international Raphael Varane was sent off.
James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos grabbed the other goals for Real while Eraso Goni and Elustondo Urkola were on target for Athletic.
Barcelona has two games in hand on its great rival and can move back to four points clear should it defeat Celta Vigo Sunday.
Third place Atletico Madrid can also go above Real should into second place should it win its Sunday fixture away to Getafe.