The Nation Newspaper

Tag: PSG

  • Moses, Mikel feature in Chelsea pre-season win

    Moses, Mikel feature in Chelsea pre-season win

    Super Eagles forward, Victor Moses, was the best player for Chelsea as the English champions defeated French kings,, PSG, in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

    Moses’ compatriot Mikel Obi played the first 45 minutes for the Londoners, africanFootball.com reports.

    It was a brilliant individual performance that should guarantee the ex-England youth international’s future at Stamford Bridge after manager Jose Mourinho hinted he may be considered for first-team squad in the new season.

    Moses got the equaliser for “The Blues” in the 65th minute to end the game 1-1 in regulation time, canceling Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 25th minute goal.

    Chelsea then won the tie 6-5 on penalties.

    The former Wigan Athletic player pounced on Cesc Fabregas pass to jab in the goal.

    Moses was the best Chelsea player on the pitch, as he was dangerous in attack and supported the defence.

    In the 10th minute, the Super Eagles winger dribbled past three PSG players before finding Ivanovic, who failed to score from six yards.

     

  • Cabaye: I won’t flee from PSG troubles

    Cabaye: I won’t flee from PSG troubles

    Yohan Cabaye has insisted that he has no intention of fleeing from Paris Saint-Germain despite his first 12 months being fraught with first-team difficulties.

    The France international, 29, has not been incredibly popular with fans at Parc des Princes and has only started one of the club’s last 10 Ligue 1 matches, which PSG lost to relegation-troubled Bastia.

    As a result, the midfielder had been linked with a swift return to the Premier League, where he had forged a reputation as a top central midfielder with Newcastle United, with Tottenham most recently named as an interested party.

    However, Cabaye is determined to make an impression in Laurent Blanc’s side and is refusing to entertain the idea of leaving his homeland, instead stressing his desire to stay with the French champions and prove a point.

    “I respect my coach and I’m in a great club,” he told Telefoot. “Having a negative state of mind serves no purpose. You have to show spirit so you can show what you are capable of.

    “I’m not the type of person that flees when they encounter difficulties. I’ve never talked about leaving because I don’t want to leave.

    “I’m with great players and I take pleasure from that. I don’t want to leave as a failure. The most important thing is to show a positive demeanour and behaviour.”

    Cabaye will be hoping to be part of the matchday squad when PSG are back in action in a Coupe de la Ligue semi-final against Lille on Tuesday.

  • UCL: City to play Barcelona again

    UCL: City to play Barcelona again

    … Real Madrid hooks Schalke 04, Chelsea meets PSG

    Manchester City will play Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 for a second consecutive year.

    Chelsea battles Paris St-Germain, and Arsenal squares up against Monaco in ties to be played in February and March, the BBC reports.

    Champions Real Madrid will face Schalke, with last season’s beaten finalists Atletico Madrid taking on Bayer Leverkusen.

    Bayern Munich plays Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus faces Borussia Dortmund and Basel tackles Porto.

    Manchester City narrowly qualified, needing a final-day win over Roma to progress, but finishing second to Bayern Munich in the group phase has seen the English champions come up against four-time European kings Barcelona.

    In last season’s first knockout game, the Catalans defeated Manchester City 4-1 on aggregate.

    Chelsea, who finished ahead of Schalke as group winners, will play Paris St-Germain for the second consecutive year, having beaten the French champions in dramatic circumstances in last year’s quarter-finals.

    There is added interest in that game as Chelsea sold defender David Luiz to PSG for a reported £40m in the summer.

    Arsenal, who finished below Borussia Dortmund in the group stage, comes up against a side handled by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger from 1987 to 1994.

    The pairings

    Manchester City vs Barcelona

    PSG vs Chelsea

    Schalke 04 vs Real Madrid

    Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund

    Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid

    Arsenal vs Monaco

    Shakhtar Donesk vs Bayern Munich

    Basel vs Porto

     

  • Juventus confirm capture of PSG’s Coman

    Juventus confirm capture of PSG’s Coman

    Serie A champions Juventus have signed French teenager Kingsley Coman from Paris Saint-Germain on a five-year deal.

    The midfielder came through PSG’s academy and made his debut for the club in February 2013.

    In doing so, at the age of 16 years, eight months and four days, Coman became the youngest player to represent PSG, taking the record from Nicolas Anelka.

    Now 18, Coman has already played for France at Under-21 level and will have the opportunity to continue his career in Serie A.

    A statement on Juve’s official website confirmed the signing and described Coman as a “technical and imaginative player… with athletic power out of the ordinary”.

    Coman made a further two Ligue 1 appearances for PSG following his maiden outing, featuring as a substitute against Bordeaux and Montpellier last term.

  • Enyeama’s mistake gifts PSG point

    Enyeama’s mistake gifts PSG point

    Nigerian goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama endured a night of contrasting fortunes in Lille OSC’s 2-2 draw against champions, PSG at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.

    The Super Eagles man made some remarkable saves to deny the home side but it was his mistimed reactions to a PSG corner in the 67th minute that allowed the hosts a route back into the game.

    Enyeama began the game in fantastic fashion with a save that defied logic in the 21st minute.

    PSG broke free down the left and full back, Lucas Digne opened up the Lille defence with a lovely pass that left Argentine striker, Ezekiel Lavezzi unmarked in the area.

    The South American must have thought he had scored as he connected sweetly with a powerful half volley only for Enyeama to spectacularly block the effort. The rebound was slowly creeping in under the bar but the former Enyimba goalkeeper swiftly picked up himself and pushed the ball away for a corner with the onrushing Lavezzi breathing down his neck.

    Enyeama enjoyed a let off in the 32nd minute when he unconvincingly punched away a corner towards the path of Zlatan Ibrahimovic whose cross shot found Thiago Silva unmarked in the Lille six yard box.

    The Brazilian however managed to scoop his connection over the crossbar when it appeared easier to score. Enyeama finally conceded in the 35th minute when PSG won a free kick 24.4 metres out.

    Ibra fired home with the effort taking a slight deflection off a Lille defender that left the goalkeeper with little chance.

    With the home side cranking up the pressure, Enyeama had to produce another top save to deny Gregory Van der Weil two minutes later.

    The see-saw contest required the Nigerian to be at his best at all times and in the 61st minute, a finger tip save off Lavezzi’s powerful drive prevented a sure goal.

    The chances continued to come thick and fast as PSG chased a late winner but Enyeama was on hand again in the 81st minute to deny Pastore who found himself in a one-on-one situation with the shot stopper after he was deftly played in by Adrien Rabiot.

    Enyeama had to remain alert in the final minute of added time as he produced an important save to deny substitute Jeremy Menez who again had just the Nigerian to beat.

    The Lille captain, Rio Mavuba, who capped an impressive outing with a brilliant goal, was full of praise for Enyeama after the game.

    “We are happy, delighted to have taken a point at Parc (des Princes). Throughout the game, let’s be honest, PSG did not steal his point, with Vincent (Enyeama) who again made the saves he needed to make,” Mavuba told the club’s official website, www.losc.fr.

    The point sees Lille remain in third place, a point behind second-placed AS Monaco and four behind PSG who remain at the summit.

  • Enyeama wins Ligue 1 honour again

    Enyeama wins Ligue 1 honour again

    Super Eagles goal keeper, Vincent Enyeama, has been voted the best player in France’s Ligue 1 for the month of November.

    Enyeama, according to supersport.com, also won the UNFP prize, set aside for the league’s best performer in October.

    He racked up 59 per cent of the votes on offer to beat off competition from PSG superstar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic who nicked 32 per cent of the votes to finish in second place.

    Enyeama and Ibra will come face-to-face in direct competition when PSG hosts Lille OSC at the Parc des Princes on match day 19 of Ligue 1 on Sunday.

    Olympique Marseille midfielder, Florian Thauvin was a distant third in the overall classification with 9 per cent of the votes.

    Enyeama picks up the award for the second successive month despite narrowly failing to break Gaetan Huard’s long-standing record of clean sheets in Ligue 1 after Lille lost 0-1 to Girondins Bordeaux at the Stade Jacques Chaban-Delmas on match day 17.

    The 31-year-old has been in great form this season for Lille OSC where he has conceded in just three of the club’s 17 league games this season.

    He recently told supersport.com that his displays have been divinely inspired.

    “I don’t do these things. It’s God. God has always guided me in my career and he has been responsible for all I have been doing,” he said.

    The UNFP trophy will be presented to the Nigerian shot-stopper before the Ligue 1 game between Lille OSC and Stade de Reims on January 12, 2014 at Stade Pierre Mauroy.

     

     

  • Enyeama sets 1,260 mins records

    Enyeama sets 1,260 mins records

    • Surpasses Sirigu

    • Eagles keeper gets global applauds

    Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama continued his impressive run of the season and he has now kept 14 clean sheets in 16 matches after helping his side, Lille beat Olympique Marseille 1-0 yesterday.

    Nolan Roux’s 90th minute header was enough for Lille to claim three points and send Lille to within a point of Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1.

    The Nigerian international has surpassed Salvatore Sirigu (PSG) – 950 mins without conceding record which was set only a year ago, between November 17, 2012 and February 8, 2013, second in L1 all-time ranking.

    The outcome of yesterday’s match means the former Hapoel Tel Aviv of Israel safe hands has played 1,260 minutes without conceding this season. He celebrated an 11th consecutive clean sheet for Lille, needing around 140 minutes away from setting the Ligue 1 record of consecutive clean-sheet held by Bordeaux goalkeeper Gaëtan Huard.

    To make it happen, Enyeama only needs to keep Bastia out, and deny PSG for 52 minutes in their next two matches respectively.

    Enyeama has not conceded a goal since a 2-0 home defeat by Nice on September 15.

    The home side typically, defended well throughout, but they were unable to break down OM until the death, when the striker stooped low to send a diving header beyond Steve Mandanda.

    Enyeama made a good save to deny Andre-Pierre Gignac after 17 minutes, as the Lille defence snuffed out Mathieu Valbuena’s attempt from the rebound.

    Following the restart, Marseille nearly ended Lille’s 11-game streak of not conceding, but somehow the ball stayed out as Valbuena’s effort pinballed in the penalty area.

    Enyeama then came to rescue his side just after the hour mark when he made a superb double stop to deny Florent Thauvin and Dimitri Payet.

    However, world enconmiums have been pouring for the former Enyimba of Aba’s safe hands. Sportinglife’s checks on twitter after the game saw people across the world heaping accolades on the former Iwuanyanwu Nationale star.

    “FFW @FrenchFtWeekly 28m

    Enyeama then watches a Gignac header sail just beyond his far post. This man is incredible – in the form of his life!

    “Mohammed Ali @mohammedali_93 31m

    ENYEAMA! What a fantastic double save again – wow, he’s probably taken something. Fantastic stop.

    “101 Great Goals @101greatgoals 2m

    Correction. Lille have kept 11 clean sheets in a row. And their keeper Vincent Enyeama is bloody brilliant!

    “John Bennett @JohnBennettBBC 2m

    Lille’s defensive record is incredible. After the 1 nil win over Marseille: 1035 mins without conceding – 11 straight clean sheets.

    “Jonathan Fadugba @JFfutbol 16m

    “FT: #LOSC 1-0 #OM ANOTHER clean sheet for Lille! Not conceded in Ligue 1 since Sept 15th. Enyeama a rock again. Rene Girard: king of the 1-0

    “Jonathan Johnson @Jon_LeGossip 17m

    Vincent Enyeama celebrates an 11th consecutive clean sheet for Lille. Insane. Another top performance from the Nigerian international

    “Nwani Emeka @Mekus_Mekus 2m

    “RT @Tofetsports: Vincent Enyeama: MotM vs Marseille, Rating 8.2, Clearances 2, Shots on target faced 4, Saves 4 http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/717106/Live/France-Ligue-1-2013-2014-Lille-Marseille …” Congrats Vincent Enyeama”

    “Colin Udoh @ColinUdoh 2m

    FT: Lille 1-0 Marseille. Another clean sheet for Enyeama. Now 140 minutes away from the Ligue 1 record #SuperMan”

    “Robin Bairner @RBairner 29m

    #Lille have now kept 11 consecutive clean sheet – 1035 minutes – around 140 short of the record.”

    “Goalkeeper Enyeama, who wasn’t even playing for Lille last season, makes a fine save by coming off his line to deny Gignac. 0-0.

    “Vincent Enyeama has now surpassed Salvatore Sirigu’s (PSG) – 950 mins without conceding. Second in L1 all-time ranking.”

    “Enyeama! Crikey another double save! Thauvin with the first effort, good save. The second attempt by Gignac forces an even better save!”

  • Wenger pledges future to Arsenal

    Wenger pledges future to Arsenal

    Despite an extensive trophy drought, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed he is ready to commit his future to the Gunners.

    In the course of the week, the French tactician began talks with the top hierarchy of the London club to secure a contract extension as his current deal with the Gunners expires next season, futaa.com reports.

    The long serving Arsenal coach had been linked with a summer move back to his native country to take over at Paris Saint-Germain, who had since appointed Laurent Blanc as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor.

    “I am committed to staying longer at this club. I’ve already had a chat with Ivan. It went very well, not a problem, futaa.com quoted Wenger as saying on Sky Sports on Saturday.

    “The link with PSG is there because I’m French and I know the owners. But if that was the case then I would be there already. I’m not at PSG because my heart is with Arsenal, he added.

     

  • Beckham quits football

    Beckham quits football

    Former England captain, David Beckham, announced on Thursday that he will retire from professional soccer at the end of the season, Supersport.com reports.

    “I’m thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level,” the 38-year-old Paris St Germain midfielder said in a statement.

    “I want to thank all my teammates, the great managers that I had the pleasure of learning from. I also want to thank the fans who have all supported me and given me the strength to succeed.”

    Beckham earned 115 caps for England, a record for an outfield player, and won the Champions League, six Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Manchester United.

    He also won league titles with Real Madrid in Spain, LA Galaxy in the United States and PSG in France.

     

  • Champions League: PSG draws Barcelona in last eight

    Champions League: PSG draws Barcelona in last eight

    ... Bayern plays Juventus

    Paris Saint-Germain will take on Barcelona in the standout tie of the Champions League quarter-finals, Goal.com reports.

    Barcelona, who won the competition in 2011 and overturned a 2-0 deficit to dump out AC Milan this season, will face the Ligue 1 leaders with the first leg taking place in the French capital.

    The draws at UEFA House in Nyon, Switzerland, on Friday also pitched last season’s finalists Bayern Munich against Serie A leaders Juventus in another huge fixture.

    Primera Division champions Real Madrid will meet Turkish giants Galatasaray, while Malaga, who knocked out Porto, takes on German champions Borussia Dortmund.

    The four first legs will take place on March, with the second legs scheduled for April 9 and 10.

    The draw for the semi-finals will be held on April 12, and the tournament concludes at Wembley Stadium on May 25.

    The pairings

    Malaga vs Borussia Dortmund

    Real Madrid vs Galatasaray

    PSG vs Barcelona

    Bayern Munich vs Juventus