TheNewsGuru

Tag: PSG

  • Barca rejected signing Mbappe in 2017

    Barca rejected signing Mbappe in 2017

    La Liga giant Barcelona rejected the chance to sign PSG star Kylian Mbappe in 2017, it has been revealed.

    Junior Minguella, the son of experienced agent Josep Maria Minguella, told Cadena COPE how Mbappe was an option for Barca.

    “I can confirm it,” he said. “More now than ever because a director confirmed it and gave his version of the story, it’s totally true. My father knew that Neymar had an agreement with PSG and was going there. The directors didn’t know or didn’t believe it. They didn’t want to take nay moves before he left.

    “Then at the moment Neymar left, the staff and president had doubts over who to sign, and they thought Dembele fitted the team better than Mbappe.

    “Some even said Mbappe was a ghost, who hadn’t achieved anything. We had a deal for 130m euros plus 25m in incentives, Mbappe would get 10-16m euros net.”

  • Mbappe hat-trick helps PSG thrash Barca, Liverpool win at RB Leipzig

    Mbappe hat-trick helps PSG thrash Barca, Liverpool win at RB Leipzig

    A hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe helped Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) hammer FC Barcelona 4-1 at the Camp Nou on Tuesday in the 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League.

    Liverpool, just like PSG, are also on course for the quarter-finals of the competition, after having won 2-0 away to RB Leipzig.

    The elite tournament resumed with the first knock-out ties of the last 16 in the continental competition played during the coronavirus pandemic.

    Barca hosted PSG behind closed doors while RB Leipzig welcomed Liverpool to Budapest as Germany is currently not allowing non-citizens/residents to enter the country from the UK.

    Lionel Messi’s penalty kick gave FC Barcelona the lead but Mbappe struck either side of half-time.

    Moise Kean added another and Mbappe completed his hat-trick with a superb finish as PSG took control of the tie that was a repeat of the sensational encounter at this stage in 2017.

    On that occasion, FC Barcelona overturned a 4-0 first leg deficit 6-1 at home and must now launch a similar comeback attempt – this time in Paris on March 10.

    That is when six-time champions Liverpool, last winners in 2019, will expect to finish the job against RB Leipzig at Anfield.

    Second half goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane earned them a deserved win in the duel between German bosses Juergen Klopp and Julian Nagelsmann in the Hungarian capital.

    On Wednesday, FC Porto meet Juventus and Sevilla host Borussia Dortmund while holders Bayern Munich resume away to Lazio next Tuesday.

    Neymar was influential in turning the tie with PSG in FC Barcelona’s favour four years ago but the Brazilian star missed the match with his former club due to injury.

    But PSG – with 22-year-old Mbappe almost untouchable – scarcely missed him.

    Mbappe’s quick-feet in the penalty box after a nice flick from Marco Verrati levelled the match.

    His clinical finish when Marc-Andre ter Stegen could only parry a 65th minute cross put PSG in front.

    Ter Stegen had previously denied Mbappe on several occasions and did so again before Kean was given space at a free-kick to head home unchallenged with 20 minutes left.

    Barca tried to rally but left themselves exposed and Mbappe curled into the top corner after Julian Draxler raced clear on the counter to cap a glorious night for Maurico Pochettino.

    He had coached PSG only since early this year.

    PSG, who beat RB Leipzig in the semi-finals last season, were superior even when Messi gave the hosts the lead from the penalty kick spot. That was after Layvin Kurzawa accidentally clipped Frenkie de Jong in the 27th minute.

    RB Leipzig too are up against it, having come within inches of the opener at the Puskas Arena when Dani Olmo headed off the post in just two minutes.

    Liverpool slowly took control and had already threatened several times before RB Leipzig imploded with two horrific errors early in the second half.

    Marcel Sabitzer’s pass inadvertently released Salah to finish well.

    And when Dayot Upamecano – who confirmed a move to Bayern Munich this week – fluffed a 58th minute clearance, Mane showed no mercy.

    Liverpool, who are riddled with defensive problems and injuries all season, are out of contention to retain their Premier League title but at least one more round in the Champions League looks likely.

  • Barca gave me everything – PSG midfielder

    Barca gave me everything – PSG midfielder

    PSG midfielder Rafinha is ready to return to Barcelona tonight for UEFA Champions League showdown.

    PSG meet Barca in the Champions League round 16 first-leg on Tuesday at the Nou Camp, with Rafinha set to face his former club.

    He told Le Parisian: “Barça? They gave me everything. I learned almost everything at the Barça training center.

    “I have a lot of affection for this period. I grew up in Barcelona, I lived there for 13 years, I also feel Catalan. I learned as a footballer with Barça but also as a person in this city.

    “For me, Barça will always be special.”

  • Kean’s goal sends PSG top of Ligue 1

    Kean’s goal sends PSG top of Ligue 1

    Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) moved to the Ligue 1 summit as Moise Kean’s late goal sealed a 2-1 win over Nice at the Parc des Princes on Saturday.

    Coach Mauricio Pochettino was without the services of Brazilian superstar Neymar, who is out for a month after suffering an adductor injury in the midweek Coupe de France win over Caen.

    But the champions had just enough to seal a sixth consecutive top-flight home win.

    Rony Lopes cancelled out Julian Draxler’s 22nd-minute opener early in the second half, but Kean —— who scored the winner against Caen —— secured maximum points 14 minutes from time.

    The result meant PSG —— who visit FC Barcelona for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday —— leapfrogged Lille at the top of Ligue 1.

    This was courtesy of a superior goal difference.

    But Christophe Galtier’s side can reclaim top spot with a point against Brest on Sunday.

    The hosts deservedly went ahead midway through the first half when Draxler prodded home his third goal of the season from eight yards.

    That was after Mauro Icardi’s close-range effort had cannoned back off the post.

    Kylian Mbappe should have doubled PSG’s advantage shortly before the interval, the France international failing to make contact with Icardi’s cross from six yards.

    Amine Gouiri thundered over a presentable opportunity at the other end.

    Nice pulled level five minutes after the break when Marquinhos’ attempted clearance went as far as Lopes.

    He drove into the penalty area and unleashed a powerful drive that gave Keylor Navas no chance.

    Mbappe fizzed a strike just wide soon after following a swift counter-attacking move, while Gouiri crashed against the crossbar from close range as Nice threatened to pull ahead.

    Kean stretched PSG’s unbeaten run at home to Nice to 10 games in the 76th minute, though, heading in from four yards after Icardi had steered Mbappe’s cross into his path.

  • PSG captain: Tuchel made me reach level I never expected

    PSG captain: Tuchel made me reach level I never expected

    PSG captain Marquinhos has paid tribute to Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.

    While refusing to discuss why sporting director Leonardo chose to sack the German, Marquinhos says he’ll always be grateful to his former PSG coach.

    He told So Foot: “Surprised by this decision from Leonardo? It is his choice and that of other leaders, and I respect all decisions of my superiors. All I can say is that Tuchel made me progress a lot.

    “With him, I reached a level that I never thought I would reach. He made me a better footballer, but we all know that in this environment, no one is guaranteed to keep his place forever. Especially the coaches.

    “Football is volatile, everything goes very quickly, maybe too fast because what is true today may not be true tomorrow. It’s unfair, but that’s how it is: a bad result, a plan that doesn’t go well, and everything can be turned upside down. The important thing is not to think about it.

    “So, we will go on new adventures with (Mauricio) Pochettino, and Tuchel should do the same on his side.”

  • Former PSG boss Tuchel agrees to take charge of Chelsea

    Former PSG boss Tuchel agrees to take charge of Chelsea

    Thomas Tuchel has agreed to take charge of Chelsea.

    The Mirror says Tuchel has agreed to take over as Chelsea’s next boss after the brutal sacking of Lampard.

    Chelsea legend Lampard was fired just 18 months into the job but discovered the news as it leaked out before being officially told by the club.

    Chelsea had already lined up Tuchel who has established his reputation with Paris Saint Germain and Borussia Dortmund and lined him up.

    Tuchel was appointed on the basis that he was immediately available, Chelsea has a strong German connection in the dressing room with Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Antonio Rudiger and they wanted someone to bring the players together.

    Chelsea want Tuchel in charge for Wednesday’s game with Wolves. His appointment is expected to be confirmed Tuesday.

  • PSG table bumper pre-contract to Sergio Ramos

    PSG table bumper pre-contract to Sergio Ramos

    French Ligue 1 side PSG have tabled a bumper pre-contract proposal to Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos.

    With his current deal to expire in June, the veteran defender is free to negotiate pre-contract terms with any foreign team.

    El Transistor says PSG have offered a three-year proposal worth €15m-a-season.

    Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has been made aware of the offer – but has refused to move in response.

    Indeed, Florentino has no intention of matching PSG’s terms.

  • Real Madrid to sell six players in bid to buy Mbappe

    Real Madrid to sell six players in bid to buy Mbappe

    Real Madrid plan to sell six players this summer to raise funds for the signing of Paris St Germain’s France striker Kylian Mbappe,

    Wales forward Gareth Bale, Brazil left-back Marcelo, Serbia striker Luka Jovic and Spanish trio Isco, Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz are the players earmarked.

    Madrid president Florentino Perez is convinced he can sign PSG star Kylian Mbappe this summer

    Now inside the final 18 months of his current deal, the future of Mbappe in Paris is clouded, particularly with claims in France that new coach Mauricio Pochettino is prepard to see the striker moved on.

    AS says Florentino expects Mbappe’s price to range between €150m to Neymar’s record €222m this summer.

    And there is hope at Real that by the end of the season Spain’s lockdown will end and fans will be allowed back into the stadiums to help boost revenue.

     

  • Ligue 1: Mauricio Pochettino gets first PSG win

    Ligue 1: Mauricio Pochettino gets first PSG win

    Mauricio Pochettino claimed his first win with Paris St Germain (PSG) on Saturday as the French champions edged closer to the top of the Ligue 1 table.

    They beat Stade Brestois 3-0 at home, prevailing through goals by Moise Kean, Mauro Icardi and Pablo Sarabia to be on 39 points from 19 games.

    The title-holders are one point behind Lyon who salvaged a 2-2 draw at Rennes.

    Three days after a lacklustre performance during a 1-1 draw at Saint-Etienne in Pochettino’s debut, PSG failed to impress again.

    But at least they bagged three points at the Parc des Princes this time around.

    Marquinhos’ header bounced off the post and into the path of Italy forward Kean, who tapped in for his ninth goal in 13 league games.

    It took a quick save from Gautier Larsonneur to deny Marquinhos shortly afterwards as PSG kept the pressure on.

    But the home side were far from convincing and left it late to wrap it up.

    Icardi doubled the tally nine minutes from time with a cool finish from Kylian Mbappe’s pass, before Sarabia added the third two minutes later with a crossed shot.

  • ‘PSG wants Messi and I’, Ramos tells Madrid president

    ‘PSG wants Messi and I’, Ramos tells Madrid president

    Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has warned president Florentino Perez he has a big offer from PSG.

    The defender, 34, comes off contract in June and is now free to commit to a pre-contract with any foreign club.

    According to El Chiringuito’s Josep Pedrerol, Ramos met with Florentino and informed him that he does not intend to accept the offer to renew, instead making himself “available to listen to proposals from other clubs”.

    Ramos even told Florentino: “At PSG, I was told that they will make a team with me and (Lionel) Messi”.

    Like the Real skipper, Messi’s contract with Barcelona also ends in June and remains at odds with the board about talks over a new deal.