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  • PSG crowned Ligue 1 champions with 3rd straight title win

    PSG crowned Ligue 1 champions with 3rd straight title win

    Paris St Germain were crowned Ligue 1 champions for a record-extending 12th time on Sunday, as their third straight title was wrapped up.

    This was following another dominant domestic campaign when second-placed AS Monaco lost 3-2 at Olympique Lyonnais.

    PSG, who missed the chance to secure the title on Saturday when they drew 3-3 draw with Le Havre, have 70 points, 12 ahead of Monaco with three games remaining.

    “Winning the league is fantastic, but winning Ligue 1 for the twelfth time is even more special for everyone connected to Paris Saint-Germain.

    “We’re going to enjoy this moment as a family. And also keep working hard, game after game, until the last moment of the season,” PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi said on the club’s website.

    Monaco were the only side left who could prevent PSG lifting the title, but their faint hopes were extinguished in Lyon as they fell to their first defeat in nine games, despite taking an early lead.

    The visitors scored with a little over 20 seconds on the clock, with Wissam Ben Yedder tapping home Takumi Minamino’s cross at the back post.

    But Monaco were 2-1 down within 25 minutes through goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Said Benrahma.

    Ben Yedder brought the sides level again on the hour mark, heading home a floated ball into the box by Youssouf Fofana.

    But it was Lyon who found a winner six minutes from time with Malick Fofana scoring from outside the area.

    After Saturday’s draw which kept the champagne on ice, PSG manager Luis Enrique was unconcerned, safe in the knowledge that their far superior goal difference meant the title was all but assured.

    “We’re champions. I don’t care if there’s a party or not.

    “We have a goal difference of plus 29 on the second place, I already feel like champions. Even if we don’t score any more points, we’ll be champions,” the coach said.

    The Spaniard, who took over at PSG at the end of last season, was proved right, as they secured their 10th title in 12 seasons without having to play another game.

    The champions have suffered just one league defeat this season, against Nice in September and while they made a slow start to their campaign, once they took top spot after matchday 12, they never looked back.

    PSG went 3-1 down to relegation battling Le Havre, but a Goncalo Ramos goal late in added time salvaged a point, and extended their unbeaten league run to 26 games, but the manager said that didn’t concern him.

    “I don’t care if I’m undefeated. That goal gave us the title.

    “That, and for the rage I had because we didn’t play much. We’re missing two titles, we’re going to do everything we can to get them,” Luis Enrique said.

    PSG are still involved in the Champions League, and they also have the Coupe de France final against Lyon to come, in what could turn out to be the club’s finest ever season.

    Striker Kylian Mbappe is leaving at the end of the campaign, and would love to bow out on a high, and this season is already his best in terms of goals scored, netting 43 times in all competitions.

    It has long been PSG’s goal to win the Champions League, but few expected it in the manager’s first season.

    Now that the league title is secured, the treble-bid is on, beginning on Wednesday with the semi-final first leg against Borussia Dortmund.

  • Ligue 1: Mbappe leads PSG to brink of title with victory over Lorient

    Ligue 1: Mbappe leads PSG to brink of title with victory over Lorient

    Kylian Mbappe turned on the style as Paris St Germain eased to within touching distance of a third successive Ligue 1 title with a 4-1 victory at relegation-haunted Lorient.

    The 25-year-old scored twice and also set up Ousmane Dembele for the second of his two goals with a touch of genius to maintain the Champions League semi-finalists’ 11-point advantage over second-placed Monaco.

    PSG can claim a sixth crown in seven years against Le Havre on Saturday.

    Luis Enrique’s men are now unbeaten in 25 league games dating back to September 15 while Lorient, who pulled one back through substitute Mohamed Bamba amid a late flurry, are three points from safety.

    With Mbappe starting in one of nine changes to the side which lined up for Sunday’s 4-1 home win over Lyon, PSG began in patient mood with the hosts enjoying a fair share of possession and mustering the first attempt on goal, a wayward seventh-minute strike from Gedeon Kalulu.

    Indeed, they should have taken the lead with 12 minutes gone when Kalulu played the ball into the path of Imran Louza, whose cut-back was steered wastefully wide by Ayman Kari.

    However, Lorient keeper Yvon Mvogo had to get down well to palm away Mbappe’s curling 17th-minute effort, but was helpless to prevent the visitors from taking the lead two minutes later.

    Senny Mayulu won possession on halfway and slipped the ball into Dembele’s run before watching him cut inside Isaak Toure and Julien Laporte and place the ball inside the stranded Mvogo’s right post.

    It was 2-0 within three minutes after Mbappe picked out Nuno Mendes on the left and then made his way into the box, where he dispatched the return pass just inside the other upright with an outrageous flick.

    Louza dragged a long-range effort wide and Gianluigi Donnarumma had to make a stunning save to keep out Tiemoue Bakayoko’s downward header from a Louza corner, but Dembele curled a 42nd-minute corner on to the roof of Mvogo’s net as the Parisians finished the first half strongly.

    The hosts returned determined to remain compact in an attempt to frustrate the visitors and, as a result, initially found themselves camped deep inside their own half with Fabian Ruiz dictating play from the middle of the field.

    However, the game was rather meandering towards the hour-mark when Mbappe produced another piece of magic, holding off defender Nathaniel Adjei before poking the ball through his legs and then crossing for Dembele to tap home.

    Bamba’s bullet header from fellow substitute Benjamin Mendy’s cross seconds later reduced the deficit and Donnarumma had to block Panos Katseris’ late effort with his foot, but Mbappe wrapped up the win at the death, cutting in from the left to shoot past Mvogo.

  • UCL: Dortmund set up PSG rematch after epic win over Atletico

    UCL: Dortmund set up PSG rematch after epic win over Atletico

    Borussia Dortmund are relishing a rematch with Paris St Germain in the Champions League semi-finals.

    This was after knocking out Atletico Madrid in a thrilling tie on Tuesday to set up a meeting with the French side they played in the group stage.

    Dortmund overturned a 2-1 deficit from their quarter-final first leg against Atletico to win 5-4 on aggregate.

    They will now renew their acquaintance with PSG, who beat Barcelona 6-4 over two legs to book their semi-final berth.

    Dortmund coach Edin Terzic feels his side, who won the Champions League in 1997, are now better prepared to face the French champions.

    This was after the Germans lost away and drew at home in the group stage.

    “Our first game against them wasn’t good. In the second game, we adjusted to them better and were closer to victory.

    “I think we’re a better team today than we were against them in the group stage,” Terzic said, following the win over Atletico.

    Midfielder Julian Brandt, who opened the scoring in the first half for Dortmund, could scarcely believe that his side had made it through to the last four after taking a two goal-lead, conceding two goals, and then scoring twice more.

    “It was a crazy game for the fans and for us. A great game for us, for our fans and for all football fans around the world,” he said after receiving his man-of-the-match award.

    “It’s going to be very serious now against Paris. We played well against them at home in the group stage, but not well away. We want to do better now and, of course, reach the final,” he added.

    For striker Niclas Fuellkrug, who also got on the scoresheet, the Champions League semi-finals will be a new experience.

    “I’ve never played at this level before and I’m very proud to be in the semi-finals of the Champions League with my team,” he said.

    “Things will certainly be different against Paris than in the group stage.”

  • Mbappe reacts after helping PSG secure UCL semifinals spot

    Mbappe reacts after helping PSG secure UCL semifinals spot

    Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe has said that helping his hometown club to finally win their first Champions League title is a matter of pride for him.

    This was after he scored twice to help guide his side to a 4-1 comeback win at FC Barcelona and into the semi-finals with a 6-4 aggregate victory on Tuesday.

    Mbappe, who is set to leave PSG in the summer with Real Madrid as the biggest favourite to sign him, told reporters that his future is not in his mind and that his focus is totally on bringing glory to the French capital.

    “I have the dream of winning the Champions League for Paris,” Mbappe told reporters at Barcelona Olympic stadium on Tuesday.

    “I’m proud to be at PSG since the first day. It’s not because there are good times and bad times that my pride takes a hit.

    “The pride of playing for this club, of representing the club of the capital of my country, it’s something special for me who grew up there.

    “To experience an evening like this one as a Parisian, it’s great. We have one more step to go before we reach the final in Wembley, so we need to stay calm.”

    After loosing 3-2 in the first leg in Paris, PSG fought-back down 1-0 at FC Barcelona after the locals went down to 10 men just before the half-hour.

    This was when last man Ronald Araujo was red-carded for fouling Bradley Barcola.

    Former FC Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele equalised for the visitors just before the break while Vitinha and Mbappe finished the job in the second half.

    The result meant PSG would face Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals after the Germans beat Atletico Madrid also on Tuesday.

    PSG achieved success having failed to get past the round of 16 in the last two seasons and being pinned against the ropes by a FC Barcelona side who were in the ascendancy.

    The Parisian put on a gritty performance to make the most of the home side’s mistakes and turn the tie around.

    “We beat a great team this evening, but even if we had lost, I would be proud to be Parisian. Now it’s certain that during evenings like this, the pride is even greater,” Mbappe said.

    “We are very happy, we beat a team that we wanted to beat and to be closer to the final.

    “This one is for the fans that came here to support us and those back home. It’s a night to be proud.”

  • UCL: PSG demolish 10 man Barcelona 4-1, Dortmund evict Atletico Madrid after recording 4-2 win

    UCL: PSG demolish 10 man Barcelona 4-1, Dortmund evict Atletico Madrid after recording 4-2 win

    Two teams have booked a place in this season’s  Champions League semi-final following the completion of Tuesday’s quarter-final second legs fixtures.

    Paris Saint Germain’s Kylian Mbappe was the hero of the night as he struck twice in PSG’s demolition of 10-man  Barcelona 4-1 away at camp nou.

    PSG  who lost the first leg 2-1 at Parc De Princess have now qualified to the semi-final with  6-4 aggregate scoreline.

    Raphinha fired Barcelona ahead early on but Ronald Araujo’s 29th-minute red card turned the tide in PSG’s favour, despite the Spanish champions leading by two goals following a 3-2 quarter-final first-leg win.

    Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha levelled the tie for PSG and the deadly Mbappe hit a brace to put them into the final four for the first time since 2021.

    Ousmane Dembele equalized for PSG, before goals from Kylian Mbappe (twice) and Vitinha sealed the comeback.

    The French champions are yet to win the trophy despite huge investment but demonstrated they have the attacking weapons in their squad to do so.

    Elsewhere, at the Signal Iduna Park, Borussia Dortmund defeated  Atletico Madrid 4-2 to book a palce in the semi-final of the competition.

    The LaLiga side had beaten Dortmund 2-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano last week.

    Two La Liga side have now exited the competition leaving only Real Madrid who have a herculean task against England Champions, Manchester City tonight at the Etihad.

    Tuesday’s result meant that both PSG and Dortmund have now qualified to the semi-final of the competition after winning their quarter -final games on aggregate.

  • Osimhen reaches agreement with new club

    Osimhen reaches agreement with new club

    Super Eagles and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, is close to joining Paris Saint-Germain for a record fee of  €120million (£103m/$129m).

    This moves technically rules out premier League clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal from signing him.

    Recall that several top clubs in Europe were eyeing a move for the Super Eagles striker this summer.

    But according to Italian outlet Il Mattino, negotiations between Napoli and PSG are reaching an advanced stage for the player.

    PSG are eager to out manoeuvre rivals like Chelsea in the race for his signature.

    The French side will pay Osimhen’s €120m release clause and offer him a four-year contract worth €13m (£11m/$14m) per season.

    Chelsea’s financial constraints and the urgent need to comply with the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability Regulations (PSR) forced them to pull out of the race.

  • UCL: PSG favourite to win trophy despite their 3-2 loss – Xavi

    UCL: PSG favourite to win trophy despite their 3-2 loss – Xavi

    Despite leading Barcelona to defeat them at home,Xavi Hernandez, has insisted Paris Saint-Germain remain favourites to qualify for the semi-final of the Champions League.

    The Manager spoke after his side beat PSG 3-2 in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Wednesday night.

    Raphinha grabbed a brace and substitute Andreas Christensen headed the winner, to give Barca the edge ahead of the second leg next week.

    PSG are still the favourites,” Xavi said in his postgame news conference.

    “I’m very proud, everything worked well. We have to improve our concentration in the first minutes of the second half.

    “We managed to mature and recover from a match that became very difficult.”

    Barcelona are seeking to reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2019 following back-to-back group-stage exits.

  • UCL: PSG coach reacts after losing to FC Barcelona

    UCL: PSG coach reacts after losing to FC Barcelona

    Paris St Germain manager, Luis Enrique, said he is still confident his team can overcome a 3-2 home loss to FC Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final.

    Enrique hopes PSG can shine against the Spanish side next week to progress.

    Still looking for a first Champions League crown, PSG gave up a 2-1 lead late in the second half on Wednesday against an FC Barcelona side who made the most of the chances they had.

    The result meant FC Barcelona earned a narrow advantage for the return leg in Spain.

    “It is clear that all defeats hurt and annoy, but I believe we played a good game against a very strong team,” Luis Enrique told a press conference.

    “We are only going to change the things that didn’t work, we always have to appreciate what a match of this magnitude means.

    “We’re going to Barcelona with a lot of desire. It’s a positive point of view to think that we can win there. It’s going to be a final for us. I’m confident in my team.”

    Luis Enrique refused to comment on Kylian Mbappe’s performance, as the France captain was shackled by Barcelona’s defence and had little impact on the game.

    The Spanish manager, who won the treble with Barcelona in 2015, said his side deserved to win and that Barca were not necessarily favourites even with a win in hand and the home field advantage.

    “We are going to go to Barcelona to fight a war,” he said.

    “I never see the opposition as favourites, whoever they are. In top-level competition, that’s how I see it. And I will continue to believe that we will go to Barcelona to win the game.

    “I repeat. We could have won this game. (Football) is about small details and let’s hope that the small details go our way in the second leg.”

  • UCL: Mbappe double sends PSG into quarter-finals

    UCL: Mbappe double sends PSG into quarter-finals

    Kylian Mbappe capped a fine display with two goals as Paris St-Germain comfortably moved into the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Real Sociedad.

    With the trip to San Sebastian billed as a potentially tricky second leg for PSG to negotiate, all eyes were on Mbappe, who has agreed to join Real Madrid this summer.

    And the France forward turned in a superb performance to register his 27th and 28th goals of the campaign for Luis Enrique’s side.

    The 25-year-old served an early warning to the hosts by accelerating past Hamari Traore to tee up a chance for Bradley Barcola, which was well saved by home goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

    And six minutes later Mbappe opened his account for the evening, latching on to Ousmane Dembele’s pass and teasing home defender Igor Zubeldia, before whipping a right-foot effort into the bottom-right corner with such power and precision that it temporarily dislodged the netting.

    Mbappe’s second of the night arrived shortly after the break as he raced clear down the left to collect Lee Kang-in’s pass and then emphatically dispatched a disguised low shot past Remiro at his near post.

    It was no more than the Parisiens deserved with Imanol Alguacil’s Sociedad team far too passive in the opening stages and only sparking into life after they had fallen four goals behind on aggregate.

    By then it was far too late with Mikel Merino’s driven effort in the closing minutes proving merely a consolation.

    The draw for the last eight of the competition takes on Friday, 15 March.

    BBC

  • PSG midfielder admits Mbappe leaving

    PSG midfielder admits Mbappe leaving

    PSG midfielder Danilo Pereira has confirmed the players have been told Kylian Mbappe will leave at the end of the season.

    Danilo was speaking after their 2-0 win with Nantes, where Mbappe started the game on the bench. It’s also claimed Mbappe has committed to a five-year deal with Real Madrid.

    “It was a two-speed match,” Danilo reportedly in the mixed zone afterwards. “It was easy for Nantes to defend at the start, we weren’t in a good position, but then in the second half, we improved. The first goal gave the team peace of mind.”

    He continued: “What is it like to play without Kylian? The dynamic changes, but we still have good players who can make the difference.

    “We were surprised to see him on the bench because he plays a lot.

    “What was the reaction to his decision to leave PSG at the end of the season? It’s not a decision that creates problems. It didn’t bother us…”

    Tribalfootball