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Tag: Paris Saint-Germain

  • Ramos’ late goal seals PSG comeback over Barca

    Ramos’ late goal seals PSG comeback over Barca

    Gonçalo Ramos struck in injury time to hand Paris Saint-Germain a dramatic 2-1 victory over Barcelona in a heavyweight Champions League clash at the Camp Nou.

    Barcelona took the lead midway through the first half when Ferran Torres slid in to convert Marcus Rashford’s low cross from the left. 

    Rashford’s assist means the England forward has now scored or created a goal in five of Barcelona’s last six matches.

    Read Also: Madugu, Nnadozie  ‘missing’ as Ballon d’Or holds today in Paris

    The reigning European champions responded before the break, as Nuno Mendes surged forward and picked out 19-year-old Senny Mayulu, who calmly slotted home to level the contest.

    Despite missing several key players through injury, PSG looked the stronger side after the interval and carved out the better opportunities. Their persistence was rewarded in stoppage time when Achraf Hakimi’s precise delivery found substitute Ramos, who finished clinically to seal all three points.

    The win moves PSG to six points from their opening two group matches, while Barcelona remain on three after suffering their first defeat of the campaign.

  • FULL LIST: All 36 teams in 2025/26 UCL league phase

    FULL LIST: All 36 teams in 2025/26 UCL league phase

    The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League phase begins today, less than four months after Paris Saint-Germain celebrated its first-ever triumph by dismantling Inter in last season’s final. Now, Europe’s top clubs are back on the grand stage for another campaign.

    The expanded 36-team league phase kicks off today, with Arsenal clashing against Athletic Club of Bilbao in one of the opening fixtures.

    The week promises other blockbuster encounters as Bayern Munich take on Chelsea in a rematch of the 2012 final, Liverpool face Atlético Madrid, and Newcastle United welcome Barcelona to St. James’ Park.

    Here are the 36 teams competing in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase:

    Ajax (NED)

    Arsenal (ENG)

    Atalanta (ITA)

    Athletic Club (ESP)

    Atlético de Madrid (ESP)

    Borussia Dortmund (GER)

    Barcelona (ESP)

    Bayern München (GER)

    Benfica (POR)

    Bodø/Glimt (NOR)

    Chelsea (ENG)

    Club Brugge (BEL)

    Copenhagen (DEN)

    Eintracht Frankfurt (GER)

    Galatasaray (TUR)

    Inter (ITA)

    Juventus (ITA)

    Read Also: Atalanta omit  ‘unrepentant’ Lookman for UCL opener at PSG

    Kairat Almaty (KAZ)

    Leverkusen (GER)

    Liverpool (ENG)

    Manchester City (ENG)

    Marseille (FRA)

    Monaco (FRA)

    Napoli (ITA)

    Newcastle (ENG)

    Olympiacos (GRE)

    Pafos (CYP)

    Paris (PSG) (FRA)

    PSV Eindhoven (NED)

    Qarabağ (AZE)

    Real Madrid (ESP)

    Slavia Praha (CZE)

    Sporting CP (POR)

    Tottenham (ENG)

    Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL)

    Villarreal (ESP)

  • PSG crowned champions of Europe after dominant win over Inter

    PSG crowned champions of Europe after dominant win over Inter

    For the first time in their history, Paris Saint-Germain have won the Champions League after a dominant win over Inter Milan.

    In one of the most one-sided Champions League finals in recent memory, PSG were on top from start to finish as all of their big stars turned up for the showpiece occasion to clinch a historic win for the club.

    Not only have the Ligue 1 side been crowned champions of Europe for the first time ever, but victory at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, means they have completed a treble after winning a domestic double.

    As for Inter, it is back-to-back Champions League final defeats, though this performance was a shadow of the one they turned in against Manchester City just a couple of seasons ago.

    Read Also: NFF mourns demise of former FIFA referee Momoh

    PSG made a strong start and were rewarded with the opening goal inside 12 minutes. Inter were caught out at the back. Desire Doue showed great composure to roll the ball across the face of the goal, handing Achraf Hakimi a simple tap-in.

    A dream start for the French side, though out of respect for his former club, the right-back opted against an over-the-top celebration.

    Inter didn’t help themselves, though, with some uncharacteristically poor defending and found themselves 2-0 down inside 20 minutes, after Achraf Hakimi broke the deadlock from close range before Federico Dimarco deflected Desire Doue’s shot past the unfortunate Yann Sommer.

    Eight minutes later, the lead was doubled as PSG hit Inter Milan on the counter, going from back to front in a flash as Ousmane Dembele picked out Doue just inside the box and the youngster found the back of the net with the aid of a wicked deflection off Federico Dimarco.

    Marcus Thuram, perhaps, should have done better with a free header at the back post following a corner to reduce the deficit before the break, but, in truth, the Serie A runners-up were fortunate not to have gone in at half-time only 2-0 down.

    Dembele somehow missed the target from close range and then Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put a free header of his own over the bar as PSG closed out a dominant first half well on top and on course to make history.

    Inter boss Simone Inzaghi made changes within eight minutes of the restart, and his side pushed for a way back into the tie, but all hope was ended just after the hour mark when Desire scored again with a composed finish.

  • UCL: PSG set up  Inter final  as Arsenal bow out

    UCL: PSG set up  Inter final  as Arsenal bow out

    Paris Saint-Germain booked their place in the UEFA Champions League final with a 3-1 aggregate win over Arsenal, ending the Gunners’ campaign and extending their long wait for European silverware.

    Arsenal were aiming to become only the third team to reach the Champions League final after losing the first leg of a semi-final at home, and they started brightly, with Gianluigi Donnarumma forced into early saves to keep the visitors at bay.

    However, in the 24th  minute, PSG broke the deadlock as Fabián Ruiz unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box to double the hosts’ aggregate advantage. That goal proved the difference at the break, with the home side taking a 1-0 lead into half-time.

    Achraf Hakimi doubled the hosts’ lead in the 72nd  minute with a powerful strike from distance, beating David Raya at his left-hand post.

    Read Also: NFF mourns demise of former FIFA referee Momoh

    However, just five minutes later, Bukayo Saka pulled one back for Arsenal, reigniting hopes of a comeback. But it wasn’t to be, as the Gunners fell at the final hurdle, crashing out of Europe with a 3-1 aggregate defeat to PSG.

    The Parisians will go up against Simone Inzaghi’s Inter, who qualified after beating Barcelona by a 7-6 aggregate score line, made up of a 3-3 draw in Montjuic and a 4-3 extra-time win in San Siro on Tuesday.

    It will be the first time that the two sides have ever faced each other in the Champions League.

    It will be the second time in three years that Inter have featured in the Champions League final, having also made the final in 2022-23, only to lose to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in an eventual 1-0 defeat.

    It is just the second time in PSG’s history that they have qualified for the Champions League final, having lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich behind closed doors in the 2020 final in Lisbon.

    The 2025 final will take place on May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

  • PSG vs Man City: Key facts to know ahead of Champions League showdown

    PSG vs Man City: Key facts to know ahead of Champions League showdown

    Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City face off at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night in what is arguably the most crucial fixture of matchday seven in the Champions League league phase.

    Initially expected to be a routine encounter, the match has now taken on greater significance for both sides following their underwhelming starts to the European campaign.

    PSG manager Luis Enrique holds an impressive record against City’s Pep Guardiola, having lost only two of their five previous encounters. 

    He is also one of just two managers, alongside Jürgen Klopp, to have defeated Guardiola by three or more goals on multiple occasions.

    Manchester City’s struggles in Europe have mirrored PSG’s, with early setbacks impacting their domestic form. 

    Read Also: French investors eye Ogun’s transport sector, agro-cargo airport

    However, City appear to be regaining momentum, having won four of their last five matches. 

    Despite losing only three of their previous 28 away games in the Champions League, they are currently on a two-game losing streak on the road— their worst run since the 2011-12 season— after defeats to Sporting Lisbon and Juventus, which have put their qualification hopes in jeopardy.

    Here are key points to know ahead of this high-stakes clash.

    1 Paris SG have only won one of their seven matches against Manchester City in European competition (D2 L4). Among teams they’ve faced more than five times in Europe, this is their lowest win percentage against any opponent (14%).

    2 Paris SG won their last home match against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, despite attempting just six shots (2-0 in September 2021). This remains the fewest shots they’ve had on record (since 2003-04) in a home match in the competition.

    3 Paris SG won 3-0 against FC Salzburg on MD6, registering as many wins and goals as they had across their previous seven games in the UEFA Champions League (W1 D2 L4). They last won consecutive games in the competition last February when they beat Real Sociedad home and away in the last 16.

    4 This will be the fifth meeting between Paris SG’s Luis Enrique and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, with both winning two games each in the UEFA Champions League. However, along with Jürgen Klopp (2), Luis Enrique is one of only two managers to have beaten Guardiola by 3+ goals on multiple occasions (3-0 in May 2015 and 4-0 in October 2016, both in charge of Barcelona).

    Paris Saint-Germain Champions League form:

    WLDLLW

    Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):

    WWWWWW

    Manchester City Champions League form:

    DWWLDL

    Manchester City form (all competitions):

    DWWWDW

    Paris Saint-Germain’s possible starting lineup:

    Donnarumma; Hakimi, Pacho, Hernandez, Nuno Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Dembele, Doue, Barcola

    Manchester City’s possible starting lineup:

    Ederson; Lewis, Ruben Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Bernardo Silva, Kovacic, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Savinho

    Predictions

    Over 1.5

    Away straight win

    Date

    Jan 22, 2025

    KO

    9:00 pm

    Venue

    Parc des Princes

  • Barcelona set to dump Neymar interest for Kylian Mbappe

     

    Barcelona are reportedly considering dropping their interest in Neymar to pursue the Brazil international’s Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe.

    Neymar was strongly linked with a return to Camp Nou during the summer transfer window, but the Spanish champions could not come to an agreement with PSG in terms of a transfer figure.

    Barca have recently revealed that they are still interested in signing the South American, who starred at the club between 2013 and 2017 ahead of a surprise move to Paris.

    Barcelona return fading away for Neymar

    However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Ernesto Valverde’s side could be ready to switch their attention to Mbappe, who is being tipped to leave the French capital at the end of the season.

    Real Madrid are also being strongly linked with the France international, though, as Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane is said to be desperate to work with the attacker at the Bernabeu.

    The 20-year-old, who has a contract with PSG until 2022, has scored 62 times in 91 appearances for his current club in all competitions – including twice in four outings this season.

    Mbappe was in superlative form at the 2018 World cup in Russia contributing in no small measures as Les Blues defeated Croatia 4-2 in the finals to clinch the world cup for the for the second time coming 20 years after the won the first one in 1998.

     

     

     

  • Too High for Comfort! Barcelona dumps Neymar pursuit

     

    Spanish La liga giants Barcelona have reportedly dropped their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar.

    The Brazil international has been strongly linked with a return to Camp Nou during this summer’s transfer window, while Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest.

    On Thursday, reports in Italy had claimed that Barca and PSG had come to an agreement over a deal for the South American, although the Catalan giants allegedly insisted that was not the case.

    According to Mundo Deportivo, PSG wanted Ousmane Dembele, Ivan Rakitic and Jean-Clair Todibo plus a “significant” cash sum in exchange for Neymar ahead of Monday’s European transfer deadline.

    Is it a closed case for Nou camp return?

    The report claims that Barca came back with a counter offer which was ultimately rejected, meaning that Ernesto Valverde’s  side have now pulled out of the hunt to bring the 27-year-old back to Spain this summer.

    The former Santos youngster has scored 51 times in 58 appearances for Thomas Tuchel’s side but is yet to feature in the early stages of this season amid the speculation surrounding his future.

    Both Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu and PSG counterpart Nasser Al-Khelaifi were in Monaco on Thursday night for the Champions League group-stage draw.

  • Neymar watches from stands as PSG beat Rennes to claim Super Cup

     

    Paris Saint-Germain substitute Angel Di María scored the winner with a spectacular free-kick and Kylian Mbappé was also on target as the Ligue 1 champions recovered to beat Rennes 2-1 and lift the French Super Cup in Shenzhen on Saturday.

    Adrien Hunou had given the French Cup winners the lead despite PSG’s dominance in the first half and Thomas Tuchel’s side eventually earned the victory their superiority deserved thanks to the second-half goals from Mbappé and Di María.

    PSG’s seventh successive Super Cup win is a record – eclipsing the six won by Lyon from 2002-07 – and means they will start the defence of their Ligue 1 title in high spirits despite doubts over the future of Neymar. The 27-year-old Brazil forward, who has been linked with a return to Barcelona, was watching the match from the stands of the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre stadium, and was reluctant to celebrate the victory with teammates.  He nonetheless received one of the victory medals.

    He saw Rennes take a surprise 13th-minute lead seconds after PSG defender Thilo Kehrer had clipped the top of the crossbar with a header at the other end. Hunou made no mistake for Rennes when he emerged unmarked to casually steer Benjamin Bourigeaud’s centre beyond Alphonse Areola with the inside of his left thigh.

    It was a rare sight of goal in the opening 45 minutes for the French Cup winners, with PSG regularly threatening to level the scores but without success.

    Pablo Sarabia’s long-range attempt arced away from goal before Edinson Cavani fired a free-kick off target, while Mbappé dragged a shot wide five minutes before half-time. Cavani went closer just before the break, stabbing wide from inside the six-yard box when he reacted first to Tomas Koubek’s fumble.

    The long-awaited equaliser came 12 minutes into the second half when Marquinhos lofted a perfectly weighted ball that found Sarabia unmarked behind the Rennes defence and his pass allowed Mbappé to score into an unguarded net.

    PSG’s winner came 17 minutes from time, with Di María – introduced in the 61st minute for new signing Ander Herrera – hit a left-footed dipping curler over the wall beyond Koubek

     

    Read Also: Embattled Neymar serves Paris Saint-Germain quit notice

  • Just in: Neymar wants to leave PSG – Tuchel

    Thomas Tuchel says he has known of Neymar’s desire to leave Paris Saint-Germain since before the start of the Copa America.

    The Brazil star has been at the centre of transfer rumours in recent weeks amid reports of his unhappiness in the French capital.

    Furthering those rumours was Neymar’s absence from the start of pre-season training, one which the club condemned despite the player’s father stating that the absence was excused.

    PSG sporting director Leonardo has said Neymar is allowed to leave the club, although he added that there have been no concrete offers despite “superficial” talks with Barcelona.

    And now Tuchel has admitted that he has known about Neymar’s desire to leave while adding that the decision on when and if to sell him is not his to make.

    “I am always disappointed when a player turns up late. But it is clear between us, now it is between the club and Ney. We work together,” Tuchel told RMC.

    “Did I know he wanted to leave? Yes, I found out before the Copa America. But it is something between the club and Ney.

    “I am the coach, it’s my player. If he is in the locker room, this is my player and I work with him.

    “I’m ready for everything. We have to be flexible. I do not talk about it with him. I’m calm, it’s a thing for the club. I do not interfere, it’s not my subject.”

    Neymar reported to pre-season training on Monday, and PSG opened their friendly slate on Tuesday with a 6-1 win over Dynamo Dresden.

    Read Also: Neymar wants to return, says Barca vice-president

    Following a friendly against Nurenberg on Saturday, the club will then head to China to continue its preseason tour, and Tuchel says that there is a possibility that Neymar does join the team for that tour.

    “Yes, [I have spoken with him] but only ‘welcome and good work’. It’s an uncertainty but it’s always like that, we work with him, if he’s there, he’s there,” he said.

    He added: “I think [Neymar could join the team for the China trip]. He came back [Monday] and, like every player, he has two days of testing.

    “It is intensive but necessary. The others worked for a week to be ready to play, it’s the same for Ney. ”

    Goal

  • Neymar can leave PSG for the right offer-PSG

    Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo is prepared to let Neymar go this summer if the right offer comes in.

    The Brazilian forward has been strongly linked with a return to Barcelona and didn’t turn up for the start of pre-season at PSG on Monday.

    After revealing that PSG had been in “superficial” talks with Barcelona over Neymar, Leonardo seemed to admit that the player had asked to leave when asked the question.

    “It’s clear for everyone,” Leonardo said. “In football, you say one thing and then another thing the day after. It’s incredible, but that’s how it is.

    “We’ve spoken with his representatives. Their position is clear but there’s only one thing that is certain for now: he has a three-year contract with us and, as we’ve not received any offers for him, we can’t discuss anything.

    Read Also: Neymar loses Brazil captaincy to Alves

    “Neymar can leave PSG if the right offer comes in,” Leonardo said in his first interview since returning to the club.

    “But now we don’t know if anyone wants to buy him or at what price. All this can’t happen in a day, this I’m sure of.

    After being asked what price PSG would demand for Neymar, Leonardo grew tired of talking about the Brazilian.

    “You have to talk and negotiate, that’s all. No more questions about Neymar please,” Leonardo said.

    Leonardo indicated that Barcelona would need to pay the money, not just rely on Neymar’s wishes to return home.

    “This transfer changes lots of things whether it happens or not,” Leonardo went on.

    “Then, with a matter of this dimension it’s not a question of sentiment. It’s a question of money.”