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  • Holders PSG, Madrid top  clubs awaiting UCL  play-offs draw today

    Holders PSG, Madrid top  clubs awaiting UCL  play-offs draw today

    Title-holders Paris Saint-Germain and record 15-time winners Real Madrid are among the European giants who will have to come through the play-off round of this season’s Champions League after missing out on direct qualification for the last 16.

    The draw for the knockout stage play-offs takes place today  after the league phase concluded on Wednesday with the eighth and final round of games.

    There was real drama on the last night, in particular in Lisbon where Jose Mourinho’s Benfica beat his former side Real 4-2, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring a 98th -minute goal that allowed the Portuguese giants to snatch the last spot in the play-offs and nudged their opponents out of the top eight.

    Europe’s elite club competition is now more bloated than ever since the expansion last season to 36 teams in the Champions League proper.

    That means 144 matches are now required to eliminate just 12 teams, with the top eight in the overall standings going through to the last 16 and the next 16 teams advancing to the play-offs.

    At the end of it all, there are few real surprises, with the top 17 berths all occupied by clubs from the so-called big five European leagues of England (six), Spain (three), Italy (three), Germany (three) and France (PSG), with one exception in Portuguese giants Sporting.

    Some big names did fall by the wayside, with Italian champions Napoli being bundled out along with three former champions in Marseille, PSV Eindhoven and Ajax. Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal and Eintracht Frankfurt were eliminated too.

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    The play-offs take place over two legs in February, with the eight winners completing the line-up for the last 16.

    The most remarkable achievements in reaching the play-offs belong to Qarabag – the champions of Azerbaijan who advanced despite losing 6-0 to Liverpool in their final outing – and, above all, Bodo/Glimt.

    Champions of Norway in four of the last six years, the outfit from north of the Arctic Circle beat Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in their last two matches to go through – despite their domestic season finishing at the end of November.

     “We should be extremely proud,” said their coach Kjetil Knutsen, and Bodo/Glimt can now look forward to a glamour tie against either Real or last season’s beaten finalists Inter Milan.

    The other possible tie for Madrid is an immediate rematch with Benfica, while other potential match-ups today  include PSG having to face domestic rivals Monaco and Borussia Dortmund having to play Bayer Leverkusen in all-Bundesliga showdown.

     “We will have to take the long route, but I don’t think anyone else can be considered favourites more than us,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique of having to face an extra knockout tie, mindful that doing so last year did not stop the French side from going on to win the title.

     “We deserve to be in this situation today,” admitted Real star Kylian Mbappe after his side’s loss in Lisbon saw them drop into the play-offs.

     “Now we have to play two more play-off games. It hurts to have to play those, we wanted to have the time in February to work on our game.”

    Real came through the play-offs last season, beating Manchester City before eventually losing to Arsenal in the quarter-finals.

    This time City are one of their potential opponents in the last 16 in March, along with Sporting, should they make it through the play-offs.

    Meanwhile, PSG already know they will play either Barcelona or Chelsea in the last 16, assuming they reach that stage – the Parisians beat Barcelona away earlier this season but lost to Chelsea in the Club World Cup final last July.

    Arsenal, having finished first in the league phase, will take on one of Dortmund, Leverkusen, Atalanta or Olympiacos in the last 16.

    Champions League knockout phase play-off draw teams

    SEEDED: Real Madrid (ESP), Inter Milan (ITA), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Newcastle United (ENG), Juventus (ITA), Atletico Madrid (ESP), Atalanta (ITA), Bayer Leverkusen (GER)

    UNSEEDED: Borussia Dortmund (GER), Olympiacos (GRE), Club Brugge (BEL), Galatasaray (TUR), Monaco (FRA), Qarabag (AZE), Bodo/Glimt (NOR), Benfica (POR)

  • PSG ordered to pay Mbappe 60m euros

    PSG ordered to pay Mbappe 60m euros

    Paris St-Germain have been ordered to pay former striker Kylian Mbappe 60m euros (£52.5m) in unpaid salary and bonuses by a French court.

    Mbappe had been seeking 263m euros (£231.5m) from his former club after the long-running dispute reached a Paris labour court in November.

    The European champions were counter-suing the France captain for 240m euros (£211m).

    The 26-year-old Real Madrid forward claimed the nine-figure sum as damages in response to a contract dispute and ill-treatment by the club.

    However, he was awarded just over a fifth of that amount in court on Tuesday.

    The court recognised that PSG had failed to pay three months of his salary between April and June 2024 as well as an ethics bonus and a signing bonus under his contract.

    It is believed that the majority of the money awarded to Mbappe was bonuses, rather than his salary.

    In May, a 55m euro sum in the club’s accounts was frozen following a request by Mbappe’s legal team.

    “We are satisfied with this ruling. This is what you could expect when salaries went unpaid,” Mbappe’s lawyer Frederique Cassereau said.

    In a statement, Mbappe’s legal team added: “This judgement confirms that commitments entered into must be honoured. It restores a simple truth: even in the professional football industry, labour law applies to everyone.

    “Mr Mbappe, for his part, scrupulously respected his sporting and contractual obligations for seven years, right up to the final day.”

    While accepting the court’s ruling, PSG haven’t ruled out appealing against the decision.

    The club had been seeking compensation for Mbappe’s failed 300m euro transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in 2023.

    He joined Spanish giants Real Madrid on a free transfer the following summer.

    The club’s statement read: “Paris St-Germain takes note of the judgement pronounced by the Paris Labour Court, which it will execute, while reserving the right to appeal.

    “Paris St-Germain has always acted in good faith and with integrity, and will continue to do so. The club is now looking to the future, based on unity and collective success, and wishes the player the best for the rest of his career.”

  • UCL: PSG comeback to beat Spurs in 8goal thriller

    UCL: PSG comeback to beat Spurs in 8goal thriller

    For the first hour, Thomas Frank’s side produced a vastly improved performance compared with the limp display that drew heavy criticism after their north London derby loss to Arsenal, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to hold off PSG.

    Richarlison put Spurs ahead after 35 minutes with a close-range header, but PSG struck a crucial equaliser moments before half-time when Vitinha fired a superb right-footed effort high past Guglielmo Vicario.

    Five minutes into the second half, Randal Kolo Muani restored Spurs’ lead with a scrambled finish against his parent club. But it triggered a devastating PSG surge—the kind that swept past Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal in last season’s tournament—producing three goals in 12 relentless minutes.

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    Vitinha levelled again with another stunning strike, this time on his left foot, before a mistake from Pape Matar Sarr allowed Fabian Ruiz to put PSG in front for the first time. Willian Pacho then capitalised on further defensive confusion to add a fourth.

    Kolo Muani briefly reignited Spurs’ hopes with a powerful finish in the 72nd minute, but PSG quickly extinguished any chance of a comeback when Vitinha completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Cristian Romero handled in the area.

    The holders finished with 10 men after substitute Lucas Hernandez received a stoppage-time red card for a blatant elbow on Xavi Simons.

  • UCL: Things to know as PSG take on Bayern Munich

    UCL: Things to know as PSG take on Bayern Munich

    Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain have battled through a turbulent start to the season marked by a series of injuries to key players, including Desire Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, and Vitinha. Despite those setbacks, the French champions have managed to maintain their stride both domestically and in Europe.

    With most of their sidelined stars returning to action in October, PSG have steadied the ship and head into November sitting top of both Ligue 1 and their Champions League group.

    Their resilience was once again on display over the weekend as they edged past Nice 1–0 in the French top flight. Despite dominating possession with 77% and creating several clear chances worth 2.29 expected goals, PSG needed a dramatic 94th-minute strike from Gonçalo Ramos to clinch all three points.

    In Europe, Enrique’s men produced a statement performance in their last Champions League outing, dismantling Bayer Leverkusen 7–2 in a thrilling encounter. The match featured a missed penalty from Alejandro Grimaldo and two red cards—one for each side—but PSG’s attacking flair ultimately proved decisive.

    That emphatic win kept the Parisians top of their Champions League group with a perfect nine points from three matches. As they prepare to return to the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, Enrique’s side will look to extend their impressive home form, having won all but one fixture there this season—the only blemish being a 3–3 draw with Strasbourg on October 17.

    PSG vs Bayern Munich: Head-to-Head Record

    Paris Saint-Germain’s recent record against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League makes for grim reading. The French champions have lost each of their last four meetings with the German giants—their longest ever losing streak against a single opponent in the competition.

    Bayern have enjoyed the upper hand historically, winning eight of the 14 Champions League encounters between the two sides (losing six). Another victory in this fixture would not only extend their dominance but also see them become the first team ever to win three consecutive away games against PSG in the competition—having triumphed 1–0 at the Parc des Princes in both April 2021 and February 2023.

    PSG’s struggles in front of goal against Bayern have been particularly costly. The Parisians have failed to score in any of their last four Champions League clashes with the Bavarian club—their longest goalless run against a single opponent in the tournament’s history.

    Across those four matches, PSG have fired 40 shots and registered 14 on target, yet none have found the back of the net—a drought they will be desperate to end when the two European heavyweights meet again.

    PSG vs Bayern Munich Predicted Lineups

    Paris Saint-Germain: Lucas Chevalier, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé.

    Head coach: Luis Enrique

    Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer, Raphaël Guerreiro, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah, Konrad Laimer, Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Michael Olise, Lennart Karl, Luis Díaz, Harry Kane.

    Head coach: Vincent Kompany

    Paris Saint-Germain Champions League form:

    W W W

    Read Also: Bayern Munich boost firepower with Diaz signing

    Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):

    D D W W D W

    Bayern Munich Champions League form:

    W W W

    Bayern Munich form (all competitions):

    W W W W W W

    Bet Prediction

    Over 1.5goals 

  • Postponed PSG-Marseille game to clash with Ballon d’Or show

    Postponed PSG-Marseille game to clash with Ballon d’Or show

    The fierce derby between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille  postponed  till tonight will clash directly with the Ballon d’Or ceremony, to be held at Paris’ Théâtre du Châtelet, where a number of PSG’s biggest stars are expected to collect awards.

    Among those stars is Ousmane Dembélé who is one of the leading contenders for the men’s Ballon d’Or, and nine other PSG players are also nominated. However, with Le Classique now scheduled for the same time in Marseille, he will be made to choose between the events.

    Dembélé and highly rated teammate Désiré Doué were not included in head coach Luis Enrique’s squad for the Marseille game due to injury.

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    Heavy storms expected on Sunday in France’s Bouches-du-Rhône region, which is on orange alert for rain, flooding and thunderstorms, forced the postponement of the game.

    Last year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony was overshadowed by then-reigning European champions Real Madrid’s snubbing of the event due to Vinícius Júnior missing out of the top award to Manchester City’s Rodri.

    This year’s show will suffer the same fate — PSG lifted the Champions League in May and European Super Cup in August — albeit due to different circumstances.

  • UCL: PSG begin title defence with emphatic 4-0 win over Atalanta

    UCL: PSG begin title defence with emphatic 4-0 win over Atalanta

    Holders Paris St-Germain made the perfect start to the defence of their Champions League title with an emphatic win against Atalanta.

    Having become European champions for the first time with a 5-0 thumping of Inter Milan in May’s final, they dominated against another Serie A side at the Parc des Princes.

    Captain Marquinhos opened the scoring in only the third minute, side-footing into the net following Fabian Ruiz’s low cross from the left.

    PSG had plenty of chances, but Nuno Mendes shot just wide, teenager Senny Mayulu had an effort deflected over and Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi made excellent saves to deny Bradley Barcola and Achraf Haikimi.

    But a second goal was always coming and the hosts doubled their advantage in style in the 39th minute thanks to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s solo goal that saw him run at the visiting defence before firing home from 18 yards.

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    PSG boss Luis Enrique was watching the first half from high up in the stands to get a better view tactically and his side should have made it 3-0 when they were awarded a penalty after Marquinhos was fouled by Yunus Musah.

    However, with Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue both missing because of injury, Barcola took the spot-kick only to see his weak and central effort easily saved by Carnesecchi.

    Nevertheless, PSG did get their third five minutes into the second half with Mendes firing past the Atalanta keeper at his near post from a tight angle.

    The Italian side, managed by former Southampton boss Ivan Juric, rarely tested home goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier and conceded a fourth goal in added time when Raoul Bellanova’s poor backpass was intercepted by Goncalo Ramos with the substitute calmly finishing.

    PSG’s next Champions League games see them visit Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen in October, before home matches against Bayern Munich and Tottenham in November.

    Atalanta will be looking to beat Club Brugge at home in their next match in the competition on Tuesday, 30 September.

    BBC

  • UEFA Super Cup: Things to know as PSG takes on Spurs

    UEFA Super Cup: Things to know as PSG takes on Spurs

    Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur will lock horns on Wednesday night in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland.

    The match pits the reigning UEFA Champions League winners against the Europa League champions, with both sides looking to claim early-season silverware and set the tone for their upcoming campaigns.

    Road to the Super Cup

    PSG secured their place after lifting the Champions League trophy for the first time in their history last season, defeating Manchester City in the final. Luis Enrique’s side enjoyed a stellar European campaign, blending defensive solidity with explosive attacking play led by Kylian Mbappé.

    Spurs, under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou, clinched the Europa League title after beating Atalanta in a thrilling final. It was their first European trophy since 1984 and a statement of intent from a squad rejuvenated under the Australian manager.

    Recent Form and Preparations

    PSG come into the match after an unbeaten pre-season tour, including victories over Barcelona and Napoli. Their squad remains strong despite summer transfer speculation surrounding several key players.

    Tottenham’s build-up has been equally impressive, with new signings quickly bedding in and the team showing attacking fluidity. However, questions remain over their defensive consistency, something PSG could exploit.

    Key Storylines to Watch

    Mbappé vs. Spurs Backline – Mbappé’s pace and finishing will be a major threat to a Tottenham defence still finding its best shape.

    Midfield Battle – Spurs’ James Maddison and Yves Bissouma will look to outmaneuver PSG’s midfield trio, led by Vitinha and Manuel Ugarte.

    Trophy Motivation – For PSG, it’s about cementing European dominance; for Spurs, it’s about proving last season’s triumph wasn’t a one-off.

    Possible Line-Ups

    Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3)

    Gianluigi Donnarumma – Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Lucas Beraldo, Nuno Mendes – Vitinha, Manuel Ugarte, Warren Zaïre-Emery – Ousmane Dembélé, Gonçalo Ramos, Kylian Mbappé

    Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1)

    Guglielmo Vicario – Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie – Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr – Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Son Heung-min – Richarlison

    Match Details

    Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2025

    Kick-off:  20:00 local time

    Venue: National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland

    Read Also: PSG leave  Donnarumma  out for UEFA Super Cup

    Referee: To be confirmed

    What’s at stake

    The UEFA Super Cup is more than just a curtain-raiser to the European season. For PSG, it’s a chance to confirm their place among the continent’s elite. For Spurs, it’s an opportunity to make a statement on the biggest stage and add another major trophy to their collection.

    PSG vs Tottenham – Betting Tips (UEFA Super Cup)

    PSG to Win – Superior attacking depth.

    Both Teams to Score (Yes) – Spurs can hurt PSG, but may concede multiple.

    Over 2.5 Goals – Open, attacking styles.

    Anytime Scorer: Mbappé – Big-game threat.

    Correct Score (Risky): PSG 3–1 – Likely pattern based on form.

  • PSG ‘lost their heads’ after final – Joao Pedro

    PSG ‘lost their heads’ after final – Joao Pedro

    Chelsea striker Joao Pedro said Paris St-Germain “lost their heads” in the aftermath of Sunday’s Club World Cup final.

    The Brazil forward, 23, ended up on the floor during an incident involving PSG manager Luis Enrique, as tempers flared between the two sides following Chelsea’s 3-0 victory at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

    Luis Enrique said afterwards those scenes were the “result of the pressure of the match” and that his “intention was to separate the footballers so the situation didn’t become worse”.

    Joao Pedro, who scored Chelsea’s third goal, said: “I don’t need to talk about them. Everyone wants to win the game and, in the end, I think they lost their heads.

    “But this is football. This has happened. Now we need to enjoy it because we won the tournament, that’s it.

    “I don’t want to talk too much about them because you know how it works. Football is this.”

    The confrontations at full-time came after PSG’s Joao Neves was sent off in the closing minutes for pulling the hair of Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella.

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    Luis Enrique, whose side were bidding to follow up their domestic treble and Champions League victory in 2024-25 with Club World Cup success, said: “I have no problem expressing my feelings at the end of the game in a high level of pressure. It’s very stressful for all of us. It is going to be impossible to avoid that.

    “Everybody was involved. It was not what was best and the end result of the pressure of the match.

    “I have seen [Chelsea manager Enzo] Maresca. I saw he had pushed others and we had to separate all the players and I do not know where that pressure came from.

    “But this is a situation we must all avoid, that goes without saying. My intention was to separate the footballers so the situation didn’t become worse.”

    Joao Pedro’s dinked 43rd-minute finish added to two earlier strikes from Cole Palmer as Chelsea won the first edition of the expanded Club World Cup.

  • CWC: Nine-man PSG overpower Bayern to move into semi-final

    CWC: Nine-man PSG overpower Bayern to move into semi-final

    Paris Saint-Germain have beaten Bayern Munich 2-0 in an incident-filled quarter-final at the Club World Cup that saw Jamal Musiala suffer a horrific injury.

    Musiala was taken off the pitch on a stretcher after suffering a severe ankle injury in a collision with Gianluigi Donnarumma at the end of the first half.

    The game in Atlanta remained scoreless until Desire Doue found the breakthrough in the 78th minute, wrong-footing Manuel Neuer at the near post.

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    PSG were then reduced to nine men, as Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez each received straight red cards in the space of 10 minutes.

    Ousmane Dembele wrapped the game up with PSG’s second goal in stoppage time, though Bayern had a penalty disallowed by VAR in the final minutes of the match.

    PSG will face Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund in Wednesday’s semi-final.

    Bayern brought a high-performance level, yet were still beaten without scoring by this resolute PSG side.

    Luis Enrique’s men have now won their last five knockout matches in international competitions, encompassing the end of their UEFA Champions League run and their run to the semi-finals here.

  • Jubilant PSG parade Champions League trophy in Paris

    Jubilant PSG parade Champions League trophy in Paris

    Tens of thousands of football fans packed the Champs-Elysees to cheer the Paris Saint-Germain players and staff as they paraded the Champions League trophy in the French capital before a major celebration at their home stadium.

    The team came by bus directly from Roissy airport on Sunday after touching down from Munich, where they thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 in Saturday’s final. They were greeted along the route by scores of jubilant supporters.

    Some had flags or flares, all wanted to savour their club winning the biggest prize in European club football for the first time in their history.

    The players, all wearing shirts with ‘25’ on them, brandished the trophy and addressed the crowd as they drove.

     “Lets’ all sing together,” shouted their emblematic captain Marquinhos.

    Coach Luis Enrique and his team, including Desire Doue, the 19-year-old who lit up the final by scoring twice in Saturday’s dazzling performance, later went to a reception at the Elysee palace hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron who lavished praise on the team.

     “You are the champions and you have put Paris at the top of Europe,” he said. “There were 11 of you on the field, but there was clearly a twelfth man – the entire French public, regardless of traditional allegiances,” said Macron, winking at his own loyalty to PSG’s rival club, Olympique de Marseille.

    The president was also quick to condemn the violence which had scarred the victory celebrations in the capital, and elsewhere in France, after the final whistle on Saturday night.

    Police made nearly 600 arrests across France, the interior ministry said, after more than 200 cars were torched and police clashed with youths.

    In the southwest town of Dax, a 17-year-old boy died after being stabbed in the chest.

    A 23-year-old man riding a scooter in central Paris also died after being hit by a vehicle.

    A policeman was put in an induced coma after being injured by a firework.

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     “Nothing can justify what has happened in the last few hours, the violent clashes are unacceptable,” said Macron said.

    “We will pursue, we will punish, we will be relentless.”

    Macron also thanked the players and the club for their quick condemnation of the violence.

    “These isolated acts are contrary to the club’s values and in no way represent the vast majority of our supporters, whose exemplary behaviour throughout the season deserves to be commended,” the club said Sunday.

    Police were on high alert to prevent any repetition of Saturday’s scene which paled against an incident last Monday when a Premier League victory parade by Liverpool Football Club in the English city ended in horrific scenes after a car ploughed into the crowd, leaving 79 injured.

    PSG are concluding their day’s festivities with a party at their Parc des Princes home ground.

    An estimated 11.8 million viewers watched the game on French television as PSG became just the second French side afar Marseille in 1993 to become European champions.

    The margin of victory was the greatest in a final in the history of the Champions League or the European Cup that preceded it.

    Qatar Sports Investments pumped hundreds of millions of euros into PSG since buying an ailing club in 2011, but over the last couple of seasons they have turned their back on their former policy of signing stars such as Neymar and Lionel Messi and focussed instead on young French talent.

    Doue cemented his status as a rising star in world football. Senny Mayulu, another 19-year-old, came on as a substitute towards the end and scored the fifth goal.

    “In the dressing room, everyone broke down in their own way, you could see it in their eyes, people were filled with joy and pride,” Mayulu said after the game.

    PSG had lost their only other appearance in the final five years ago but after Saturday’s triumph, said they planned to win more.

     “The objective now is to win again,” PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi said. “It has taken 14 years of hard work but we are building something for the future.”