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Tag: Ligue 1

  • PSG chiefs meet to sack Mauricio Pochettino

    PSG chiefs meet to sack Mauricio Pochettino

    Paris Saint-Germain chiefs are ready to sack coach Mauricio Pochettino.

    The Ligue 1 champs are finalising the sacking of Pochettino in the coming days and announce the departure of director of Leonardo, as they begin to make changes.

    The former Tottenham boss is under contract with the French outfit until the end of next season, but speculation surrounding his future has been mounting for months, after the French giants disappointing exit from the Champions League.

    Despite winning the Ligue 1 league title, It has been reported that just one more meeting is needed for PSG to make an official decision on the Argentine’s future at the club.

    Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported: “Paris Saint-Germain are oriented to sacking Mauricio Pochettino in the coming days. One more meeting is needed to make an official decision – it will take place once Nasser Al Khelaifi’s back.

    “Leonardo’s departure will be announced very soon, with Campos set to join PSG.”

  • Kylian Mbappe explains signing new PSG contract

    Kylian Mbappe explains signing new PSG contract

    Kylian Mbappe’s contract renewal was made official in a statement released by the Parisian club on Saturday evening.

    Ahead of the Ligue 1 win against Metz, president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Mbappe joined each other on the pitch to make clear to the supporters that the 23-year-old is staying at the Parc des Princes.

    “I would like to announce that I have chosen to extend my contract at Paris Saint-Germain, and of course I am delighted,” Mbappe told PSG’s official media.

    “I am convinced that here I can continue to grow at a club that provides everything necessary to perform at the highest level.

    “I am also delighted to continue to play in France, the country where I was born, where I have grown up and where I have made my name.

    “I would like to thank the president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, for his trust, his understanding and his patience.

    “I would also like to thank all the fans of Paris Saint-Germain, both in France and around the world, for their support, especially in recent months.

    “Together, side by side and ambitious, we will make magic in Paris.”

    Few anticipated such an outcome as recently as one week ago, with it clear that Real Madrid and Mbappe had reached an agreement on the terms of his contract at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

    This agreement included a significant salary, a signing-on fee of 130 million euros and total control of his own image rights.

    It was a contract never before offered by Los Blancos, yet Mbappe and his entourage were swayed by political pressure from Qatar and France, and he kept channels of dialogue open with PSG throughout the entire process.

  • PSG confirm Angel Di Maria departure

    PSG confirm Angel Di Maria departure

    Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Friday confirmed that Angel Di Maria would leave the club upon the expiration of his contract.

    Di Maria joined PSG from Manchester United in 2015 and has gone on to enjoy a stellar stint in the French capital.

    The former Real Madrid winger has won five Ligue 1 titles, enjoyed as many Coupe de France triumphs and collected four Coupe de la Ligue trophies.

    He has not been able to help PSG win the Champions League, though he did get a runners-up medal in 2019/2020.

    Di Maria, who scored in a 4-0 rout of Montpellier last week, contributed to 40 goals in his first season at PSG, scoring 15 and providing 25 assists.

    In the 2021 Coupe de France final, his pass for a Kylian Mbappe goal saw Di Maria become the player with the most assists in PSG’s history (104).

    He has assisted 71 goals in Ligue 1 since his debut in 2015, 27 more than any other PSG player in that time frame, and created 482 chances.

    That was way clear of second-ranked Neymar’s tally of 267.

    His 55 goals place him fourth, behind Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Mbappe.

    Lionel Messi’s arrival last year limited Di Maria’s minutes, with the Argentine featuring 30 times across all competitions in the 2021/2022 campaign and starting 21 of those games.

    On Friday, ahead of PSG’s final game of the season against Metz, Di Maria posted a picture of the squad to his official Instagram account with the message: “Gracias. Merci.”

    “Angel Di Maria has definitely marked the history of the club,” said PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

    “He will be remembered by supporters as a player of impeccable spirit, who showed unwavering commitment to defending our colours.

    “I invite the whole Paris Saint-Germain family to meet [Saturday] at the Parc des Princes to pay him the tribute he deserves.”

    Reports have suggested that Juventus have lined up a move for Di Maria, who turned 34 in February.

  • PSG finalising sacking of Pochettino after Ligue 1 title

    PSG finalising sacking of Pochettino after Ligue 1 title

    Ligue 1 Champions Paris Saint-Germain are finalising the sacking of manager Mauricio Pochettino after the league title.

    Le Parisien reports that the French club will replace him with Tottenham Hotspur coach, Antonio Conte.

    Pochettino led PSG to the Ligue 1 title on Saturday, following a 1-1 draw with Lens.

    However, despite this, Pochettino has failed to impress since he was appointed in January 2021.

    The Argentine has not delivered the Champions League, which is the trophy PSG want the most and failed to win the league last term.

    PSG have also suffered defeats in the French Cup and French Super Cup this season.

    Pochettino, who has one year left on his current contract, will now be dismissed “imminently”.

    It’s believed the club’s board want him to leave and he’s open to an exit.

    His compensation package would cost €15million.

  • PSG clinch French Ligue 1 title in spite draw with Lens

    PSG clinch French Ligue 1 title in spite draw with Lens

    Lionel Messi scored a fine goal as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) sealed the Ligue 1 title in spite of being pegged back late on by Lens in a 1-1 draw.

    PSG went into the game at the Parc des Princes knowing a point would be enough to claim a record-tying 10th Ligue 1 title.

    They were then hoping to get the job done in style on home turf.

    Lens had Kevin Danso sent off in the 57th minute, and 11 minutes later Messi effectively clinched the title with a magnificent long-range goal.

    Yet the title-winning moment was spoiled somewhat.

    Slack PSG defending allowed Corentin Jean to steal in at the far post and ensure the hosts secured the trophy with a damp squib rather than a bang.

    Mauricio Pochettino’s men were booed off by the home fans at half-time.

    Seko Fofana and Danso spurned early chances for Lens before Achraf Hakimi and Neymar went close for PSG.

    PSG were improved after the break.

    Kylian Mbappe was denied by Jean-Louis Leca’s save and Christopher Maurice Wooh’s goal-line clearance from the rebound following Marco Verratti’s quickly-taken free-kick.

    Danso paid the price for a rash challenge on Neymar on the edge of the penalty area as he received a second yellow card.

    Although Leca turned Messi’s subsequent free-kick behind, he could do nothing to prevent the Argentina international’s thunderbolt from finding the net 10 minutes later.

    It was a trademark Messi finish, his 25-yard shot lacking in perfect placement but possessing both the bend and velocity to leave Leca with no chance.

    Yet the frustration that defined much of the evening returned in the 88th minute.

    That was when Jean slid in to turn home Deiver Machado’s ball across the face of goal and dampen the celebrations.

  • Messi scores as PSG clinch French Ligue 1 title

    Messi scores as PSG clinch French Ligue 1 title

    Lionel Messi scored a fine goal as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) sealed the Ligue 1 title in spite of being pegged back late on by Lens in a 1-1 draw.

    PSG went into the game at the Parc des Princes knowing a point would be enough to claim a record-tying 10th Ligue 1 title.

    They were then hoping to get the job done in style on home turf.

    Lens had Kevin Danso sent off in the 57th minute, and 11 minutes later Messi effectively clinched the title with a magnificent long-range goal.

    Yet the title-winning moment was spoiled somewhat.

    Slack PSG defending allowed Corentin Jean to steal in at the far post and ensure the hosts secured the trophy with a damp squib rather than a bang.

    Mauricio Pochettino’s men were booed off by the home fans at half-time.

    Seko Fofana and Danso spurned early chances for Lens before Achraf Hakimi and Neymar went close for PSG.

    PSG were improved after the break.

    Kylian Mbappe was denied by Jean-Louis Leca’s save and Christopher Maurice Wooh’s goal-line clearance from the rebound following Marco Verratti’s quickly-taken free-kick.

    Danso paid the price for a rash challenge on Neymar on the edge of the penalty area as he received a second yellow card.

    Although Leca turned Messi’s subsequent free-kick behind, he could do nothing to prevent the Argentina international’s thunderbolt from finding the net 10 minutes later.

    It was a trademark Messi finish, his 25-yard shot lacking in perfect placement but possessing both the bend and velocity to leave Leca with no chance.

    Yet the frustration that defined much of the evening returned in the 88th minute.

    That was when Jean slid in to turn home Deiver Machado’s ball across the face of goal and dampen the celebrations.

  • Neymar, Mbappe strike as PSG beat Marseille

    Neymar, Mbappe strike as PSG beat Marseille

    Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) came out on top 2-1 in a tight tussle with Marseille in Sunday’s Classique, with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe securing the bragging rights.

    All three goals were scored before half-time in a match that was far from being a classic between Ligue 1’s top two teams.

    Duje Caleta-Car had cancelled out Neymar’s opener, before Mbappe struck from the penalty kick spot to restore parity.

    Marseille had what they thought was an equaliser disallowed by VAR late on.

    The win maintains PSG’s strong form after Mauricio Pochettino’s side won their previous two fixtures 5-1 and 6-1.

    It moves them closer to putting the finishing touches to regaining the Ligue 1 title.

  • Messi absent as PSG lose scandalously to Monaco in Ligue 1

    Messi absent as PSG lose scandalously to Monaco in Ligue 1

    Paris Saint-Germain remain on top of the log with 15 points difference ahead of second place Merseille in French Ligue 1 but lost scandalously to Monaco on Sunday.

    PSG were beaten by Monaco 3-0 Wissam Ben Yedder double strike, as Neymar and Kylian Mbappe were both booked in a feisty Ligue 1 encounter.

    Ballon D’or winner Argentine Lionel Messi was missing in action due to flu as Neymar and Mbappe fired blanks in the fiesty encounter.

    The loss meant that Mauricio Pochettino’s men suffered their fourth loss of the season in the French Ligue 1

    Second place Nice can now reduce the points to12 if they beat Marseille later on sunday.

     

    Monaco captain Ben Yedder is now Ligue 1’s top scorer with 18 goals after his 25th minute tap-in from a rebound, and an 84th minute penalty.

    Ben Yedder also helped in the build-up for German striker Kevin Volland’s goal for Monaco, making it 2-0 on 68 minutes in what was the real turning point of the game as PSG began to chase.

    Mbappe and Neymar started for PSG and had a string of opportunities as the visitors enjoyed the lion’s share of possession.

    Speaking after the encounter French forward Kyllian Mbappe said that PSG are still feeling the effect of the loss to Real Madrid in the UCL.

    “We could win 8-0 and nobody would care, they’d just be thinking about the Champions League,” he said.

    “We need to remain professional, think of our families,” said Mbappe, who was full of praise for his old club.

    “They are a great team, playing in European competition,” said the 23-year-old.

  • Ligue 1: Messi, Neymar booed by PSG fans

    Ligue 1: Messi, Neymar booed by PSG fans

    Lionel and Neymar were booed by Paris Saint-Germain fans on Sunday in their first game since their dramatic Champions League loss to Real Madrid on Wednesday.

    The Ligue 1 leaders took on Bordeaux and both players were roundly booed by the home supporters and their every touch jeered.

    However, there was no such treatment for Kylian Mbappe, who is likely to move to Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer.

    At one point during the first half, the fans booed as Messi and Neymar stood over a free-kick and then sarcastically cheered when Neymar hit his effort over the bar.

    PSG eventually won 3-0, with Mbappe, Neymar and Paredes scoring the goals.

    The victory moves them 15 points clear at the top and continues their march toward the title

  • Ligue 1: Zidane wants Ronaldo at PSG before signing

    Ligue 1: Zidane wants Ronaldo at PSG before signing

    Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo is a priority demand of Zinedine Zidane for PSG.

    The French giants are preparing for life without Kylian Mbappe, who has reportedly agreed to join Real Madrid in the summer, and are considering replacing him with Ronaldo, says the Mirror.

    The switch would see the 37-year-old lining up in the same team as eternal rival Lionel Messi for the very first time.

    And with Zidane in talks to succeed Mauricio Pochettino, the former Real coach is demanding Ronaldo be signed as a priority. Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Pochettino hasn’t really settled in the French capital, and looks increasingly likely to leave at the end of the season, whether United come calling or not.

    Speculation surrounding the Portugal international’s unhappiness in Manchester has intensified ever since the Red Devils were dumped out of the FA Cup on penalties by Championship side Middlesbrough on Friday.