Ligue 1

25Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Expert Praises Ousmane Dembele’s Transition from Barcelona to PSG

 Ousmane Dembele looks on during a Paris Saint-Germain training session after signing his 5 year contract at Campus PSG on August 12, 2023 in Paris, France.Ousmane Dembele has registered zero goals and two assists in 10 matches in all competitions. There’s been some criticism over the 26-year-old’s production this 2023-24 season. However, one expert is defending the Frenchman.While the numbers aren’t there to reflect the product, RMC Sport pundit Rolland Courbis praised the form that the former FC Barcelona star finds himself in. Nonetheless, the ex-coach states that the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner’s influence on the game goes beyond the stat sheet.“He has this ability to provoke his opponent, to trigger fouls in his defender, who can quickly be warned and no longer play as freely as h...

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8Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Monaco stays top of French league with win over Reims

17 Aleksandr GOLOVIN (asm) - 14 Ismail JAKOBS (asm) - 29 Folarin BALOGUN (asm) during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Stade de Reims and Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club at Stade Auguste Delaune on October 7, 2023 in Reims, France. Ismail Jakobs has scored a goal and had an assist as Monaco beat Reims 3-1 to keep the top spot in the French league.Monaco moved one point clear of second-place Nice, who edged Metz 1-0 with a goal from Hicham Boudaoui.Jakobs, a Senegal international, gave Monaco the lead in Saturday's match with a first-time effort in the 42nd minute after the Reims defence poorly cleared a cross from Krepin Diatta.Folarin Balogun doubled the lead with a powerful strike from a tight angle in the 46th.France international Wissam Ben Yedder made it 3-0 for t...

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25Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

PSG rout bitter rivals Marseille 4-0 but Mbappe injured

 Nice's Swiss defender #23 Jordan Lotomba (L) fights for the ball with Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #07 Kylian Mbappe (R) during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and OGC Nice at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on September 15, 2023. Forwards Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos have scored their first goals for Paris Saint-Germain in a 4-0 home rout of Marseille in the French league but the victory was marred by star striker Kylian Mbappe getting injured.Mbappe limped off in the 32nd minute after taking a blow to the left ankle earlier in Sunday's game and trying to play on. He was able to walk off the field at Parc des Princes.PSG coach Luis Enrique said Mbappe's injury was not serious."He was in a bit of pain and it was difficult for h...

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18Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

PSG not obsessed with winning Champions League, says Luis Enrique

 Luis Enrique Head coach of PSG looks dejected at full-time following the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint-Germain and OGC Nice at Parc des Princes on September 15, 2023 in Paris, France. An obsession with winning the Champions League would only hurt Paris St Germain, manager Luis Enrique said on the eve of the Ligue 1 side's group-stage clash with Borussia Dortmund.PSG have been the most successful club in France since Qatar Sports Investments took over in 2011, winning the league nine times. They have also had success in France's domestic cup competitions, but have failed to win the Champions League.The French champions relaunch their quest for the elusive trophy on Tuesday, taking on Dortmund in their opening game of a difficult group - which also features English s...

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17Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Monaco predicted XI v Lorient: Folarin Balogun set for first start?

 Folarin Balogun #20 of United States looks on against Oman at Allianz Field on September 12, 2023 in St Paul, Minnesota. Folarin Balogun could make his first start for AS Monaco in today’s Ligue 1 fixture against FC Lorient. Mohamed Camara is suspended, meaning that Denis Zakaria is set to move into the midfield for the first time. Balogun, at least in the short-term, is seemingly in competition for a starting place with Wissam Ben Yedder, despite manager Adi Hütter stating that the two can play together. The USMNT striker came off the bench to make his debut in a 3-0 victory against RC Lens before the international break, but he may now be set for a first start. Elsewhere, there are no fresh concerns for the Principality club. Camara is suspended, with new signing Zak...

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16Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Struggling Lyon hires former Italy defender Fabio Grosso as new coach

 Fabio Grosso Mister of Frosinone Calcio, Conferenza Stampa, Press Conference during the Italian soccer Serie B match Cagliari Calcio vs Frosinone Calcio on April 15, 2023 at the Unipol Domus in Cagliari, Italy.Struggling French club Lyon hired former Italy defender Fabio Grosso as its new coach on Saturday.Grosso replaces Laurent Blanc, who left by mutual consent following a terrible start to the season. Lyon is in last place with only one point from four games.Lyon said that the 45-year-old Grosso has a contract until the end of the season, with the option for an extra season.He will watch the home game against promoted Le Havre on Sunday night and take charge of the team on Monday.Deputy coach Jean-Francois Vulliez will oversee the Le Havre game.Grosso won the World Cup with Italy ...

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15Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Enrique suffers first PSG loss despite Mbappe goals

 Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish headcoach Luis Enrique (L) embraces Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #07 Kylian Mbappe (R) after the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and OGC Nice at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on September 15, 2023.Paris St-Germain fell to their first defeat under new boss Luis Enrique as they were beaten by Nice despite Kylian Mbappe's double.Terem Moffi gave Nice the lead with a deflected shot into the bottom corner but Mbappe levelled with a first-time shot from the edge of the area.Gaetan Laborde bundled the visitors back into the lead and Nigeria's Moffi hit a fine strike from 18 yards.Mbappe's flying volley gave PSG hope but they could not level.It was the France captain's seventh goal in four games this season after his re...

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13Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Mbappe back in training and likely to stay at PSG

 Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain FC looks on from the stand during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Lorient at Parc des Princes on August 12, 2023 in Paris, France.Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has returned to first-team training and is likely to stay at the French champions this summer.The France forward, 24, had not been training with the first-team squad and was left out of PSG's 0-0 season opener with Lorient on Saturday.He has been in a contract stand-off amid a desire to join Real Madrid but could now extend his contract at PSG.PSG said Mbappe was reinstated after "very constructive and positive" talks.The France captain watched the game on Saturday from the stands with France team-mate Ousmane Dembele, who joined PSG from Barcelona fo...

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22Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Mbappe left out of PSG’s pre-season trip to Asia

 Footballer Kylian Mbappe is seen attending the Men's Singles Final match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Casper Ruud of Norway on Day Fifteen of the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros on June 11, 2023 in Paris, France.  Kylian Mbappe has been left out of Paris St-Germain’s squad for their pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea. The club’s all-time leading goalscorer is refusing to sign a year’s extension to his contract which ends next summer. PSG therefore want to sell the France forward now and secure a transfer fee rather than let him go for nothing. Mbappe, however, has said he wants to remain with PSG for one more year before leaving upon the expiration of his current deal. He is widely believed to be aiming to join Real Madrid for nothing at the end of the upcoming s...

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1Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

PSG coach Christophe Galtier to stand trial in racism probe

 Christophe Galtier head coach of PSG prior the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between FC Bayern München and Paris Saint-Germain at Allianz Arena on March 8, 2023 in Munich, Germany. Galtier and his son, John Valovic-Galtier, were placed in custody for questioning on Friday morning. After his son was released without charge, Galtier was referred to the public prosecutor’s office and will stand trial in Nice on Dec. 15 on charges of psychological harassment and discrimination, prosecutor Xavier Bonhomme posted on Twitter. If found guilty, Galtier risks a maximum sentence of three years in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros ($49,000). Galtier, who is on his way out at PSG but still under contract, denied accusations that he made racist and anti-Muslim comments when he...

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13Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

PSG prepared to sell Mbappe this summer

 Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe reacts after receiving the Best Ligue 1 Player award during the 31th edition of the UNFP (French National Professional Football players Union) trophy ceremony, in Paris May 28, 2023.Paris St-Germain are prepared to sell Kylian Mbappe this summer rather than risk losing him for free in a year’s time, after he told the French club he will not renew his contract. The France forward’s current deal expires at the end of next season, with the option of another year. There was a deadline of 31 July for Mbappe, 24, to tell PSG if he was going to renew until 2025. After months of talks, he has sent the club a letter saying he will not. PSG’s record goalscorer would be free to leave for nothing at the end of next season and the move could be a...

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4Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Fans boo as Messi’s final game for PSG ends in defeat

 Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Sergio Ramos, Lionel Messi, Marco Verratti and Presnel Kimpembe of Paris Saint-Germain pose for group picture with Ligue 1 trophy after the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Clermont Foot at Parc des Princes on June 3, 2023 in Paris, France.Lionel Messi has ignored boos in his final game for Paris Saint-Germain [PSG] as the French league champion lost to Clermont 3-2. PSG supporters booed the football star on Saturday when the Parc des Princes announcer read his name on a warm evening. A few minutes later, Messi walked onto the field with a smile on his face, holding his three children’s hands before the team photo and kissing them on their foreheads before kickoff. “I would like to thank the club, the city of Paris and its people for these two year...

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3Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Veteran defender Sergio Ramos to leave Paris Saint-Germain

 Sergio Ramos kicks the ball during a Paris Saint-Germain training session on May 25, 2023 in Paris, France.Sergio Ramos has confirmed he will leave Paris Saint-Germain. Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos will follow Lionel Messi out of Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of June. Ramos has spent the past two seasons at the Parc des Princes after joining from Real Madrid on a free transfer, but he stands to make his final appearance in Saturday’s match against Clermont Foot. The 37-year-old has won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles with PSG, scoring five goals in 57 appearances, although his form was often questioned and his departure is not seen as a surprise. “Wearing the Red and Blue shirt for the last two years has been a wonderful experience,” Ramos said in a statemen...

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23May By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Mbappe goals see PSG all but secure Ligue 1 title

 Kylian Mbappe of PSG celebrates his second goal with Hugo Ekitike (left) during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between AJ Auxerre (AJA) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade de l'Abbe Deschamps on May 21, 2023 in Auxerre, France.Paris Saint-Germain all but secured the Ligue 1 title on Sunday as a Kylian Mbappe brace gave them a 2-1 win away to Auxerre that left the Qatar-owned club six points clear at the top of the table with two games remaining. PSG had hoped to officially confirm a second straight championship triumph, and a ninth in the last 11 seasons, but they needed closest rivals Lens to slip up earlier in the day. Lens won 3-1 at Lorient, and so PSG still require one point from their final two matches to secure a French record 11th title overall. However, a goal difference adv...

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14May By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Messi booed by PSG fans in win against Ajaccio

 Lionel Messi of Paris Saint Germain walks in the field during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and AC Ajaccio at Parc des Princes on May 13, 2023 in Paris, France.Lionel Messi was booed by some Paris St-Germain fans in his first match since being suspended for his unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia as the Ligue 1 leaders beat Ajaccio 5-0. Both sides ended the game with 10 men after Thomas Mangani aimed a punch at Achraf Hakimi, who retaliated. Fabian Ruiz and Hakimi struck in the first half for PSG. Mbappe scored twice at the start of the second half before Mohamed Youssouf’s own goal as Ajaccio were relegated. Ajaccio’s best chance came in the 67th minute when Mickael Barreto’s right-footed shot from outside the box just sailed over the bar. Messi played the full 90 minu...

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6May By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

PSG’s Messi apologises for unauthorised Saudi trip

 MESSI Lionel of Paris Saint Germain (PSG) in action during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Lorient at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, France, on April 30, 2023.Lionel Messi has apologised to his Paris St-Germain teammates and says he will wait for the club to decide what they want to do with him after making an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. The Argentina captain was suspended by the club for two weeks for the trip. It followed PSG’s home defeat by Lorient on Sunday – their third in six games – when Messi played 90 minutes. “I am sorry for what I did and I wait to see what the club decides,” Messi said in a video posted on Instagram. “I honestly thought we were going to have the day off after the match as had happened in the previous w...

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3May By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Lionel Messi

Messi to leave PSG at end of season

 Lionel Messi during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Olympique Lyonnais (OL) at The Parc des Princes Stadium, on April 02, 2023 in Paris, France.Lionel Messi will leave Paris St-Germain this summer at the end of his current contract. The Argentine World Cup winner had reached an ‘agreement in principle’ to extend his stay for another year but neither club nor player now want to sign the deal. Messi is unconvinced the club can compete at the top of the European game, due to financial issues, while the French champions want to focus on developing young talent. He signed a two-year deal in Paris in 2021 with an option to renew for another year but that will now not be activated. It is understood his father Jorge Messi informed Paris St-Germain’s footbal...

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2May By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Lionel Messi

Messi suspended by PSG over Saudi Arabia trip

 Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Lorient at Parc des Princes on April 30, 2023 in Paris, France.Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been suspended by Paris St-Germain for two weeks after travelling to Saudi Arabia without the club’s permission this week. The trip followed the French club’s home defeat by Lorient on Sunday, in which Messi played the full 90 minutes. Messi will not train or play for PSG during the period of his suspension. It is understood the 35-year-old asked permission to make the journey to carry out commercial work but was refused.Messi, who has also been fined by the club, has a role as a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia. The World Cup winner’s two-year contract with PSG expires this summer. Barcelo...

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30Apr By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Achraf Hakimi, Ligue 1

Hakimi sees red as PSG lose at home to Lorient

 Referee Jérôme Brisard (C) shows a red card for Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint Germain (H) during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Lorient at Parc des Princes on April 30, 2023 in Paris, France.Lorient stunned 10-man Paris St-Germain as the Ligue 1 leaders fell to their ninth defeat in all competitions in 2023. Enzo le Fee opened the scoring for Lorient, firing high into the net from Romain Faivre’s cutback. Achraf Hakimi was sent off for PSG after collecting two yellow cards in 15 minutes. Kylian Mbappe equalised for the home side but goals from Darlin Yongwa and Bamba Dieng sealed victory for Lorient. Yongwa finished into the bottom corner from close range as Lorient took the lead before half-time. Then in the 87th minute, Dieng made sure of the three points when ...

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18Apr By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Marseille, UCL

Vitinha double lifts Marseille to second place

 09 Vitor Manuel CARVALHO DE OLIVEIRA VITINHA (om) during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Marseille and Troyes at Orange Velodrome on April 16, 2023 in Marseille, France. Marseille new signing Vitinha scored his first ever Ligue 1 goals in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Troyes that lifted the south coast club into second behind Paris Saint-Germain. The 23-year-old Portuguese was on the mark for the first time in the league since a 32 million euros move from Braga in January, as the goalmouth predator began to deliver for his new owners. For relegation-threatened Troyes this was a 14th Ligue 1 match without a win as they remain level second bottom. Marseille’s win edged them above Lens into second, and trimmed PSG’s lead to eight points, with seven games left to play, a day after the l...

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