PARIS: For more than a decade, Paris Saint-Germain’s Qatari owners have spent lavishly to attract big stars.
Their goal was to make the club profitable, to erase the amateurish image of a side often associated with hooligans, and to build a competitive team capable of winning the Champions League.
With unprecedented revenues surpassing 800 million euros ($890 million) for the first time last year, they have managed to build solid growth.
They also succeeded in ridding their stadium of the violence that often made the atmosphere at the Parc des Princes so tense and hostile.
And they also managed to bring the biggest names in the game to Paris. The likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé at times offered a glimpse of the possibility of winning Europe’s biggest tournament.
But the Champions League crown remained a distant dream.
The superstars have all now left the Parc des Princes, and it might sound paradoxical, but the club may be better equipped in its quest for continental glory.
Following the exits of Messi to Inter Miami and Neymar to Saudi Arabia team Al-Hilal in previous years, the departure of Mbappé to Real Madrid this summer marked the end of an era at PSG, where relying on the individual skills of star players and splashing money have been the norm since the 2011 Qatari takeover.
The big hole left by Mbappé was not filled by yet another superstar.
Instead, coach Luis Enrique insisted on molding what he had. Enrique’s project makes sense: Mbappé can’t be duplicated but he could be replaced by a handful of attacking players capable of scoring as much, or more, than the France captain did.
“To me, this is the continuation of last season,” said Enrique, who has used 21 players in four French league games so far. “We are a young team, that is true. But we are full of desire and hunger, which is a wonderful thing. I’m so lucky to have this sort of squad.”
Enrique asked for the recruitment of less known but excellent players in every sector to create competition and have second options at every position. It could be even more crucial this season as the Champions League’s new format will see more teams playing more games. PSG starts on Wednesday against Spanish side Girona.
PSG signed goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, highly rated defender Willian Pacho and promising midfielder João Neves, as well as winger Désiré Doué. Pacho was impressive at Eintracht Frankfurt while the versatile Neves has already earned 11 caps with Portugal at the age of 19.
Pacho and Neves have quickly gelled with the team and the new-look PSG has delivered immediately. They have won their first four matches to top the Ligue 1 standings.
“PSG is way stronger collectively than last year, everybody runs and defends,” Brest coach Eric Roy said after his side lost to the French titleholder 3-1 over the weekend. “Especially when they lose the ball, they put a lot of pressure.”
The biggest question mark going into the season was PSG’s ability to maintain a potent attack without its best player. With two quick and powerful players on the wings — Ousmane Dembélé and Badley Barcola — partnering Marco Asensio in a false No. 9 role, PSG seems to have found the right answer.
The team has scored 16 goals, conceding just three, and boasts the best goal difference after four Ligue matches since Reims in 1952. Only Marseille forward Mason Greenwood has more goals than Barcola and Dembélé, while João Neves leads the league with three assists.
But for all of PSG’s dominance of the French league — winning it in 10 of the last 12 seasons — it has reached just one Champions League final since being bought by Qatar Sports Investments. No surprise Enrique does not want to get carried away.
Asked about the perceived improvement, he said, “We will see at the end of the season what the team has achieved.”
PSG starts Champions League without a galactico but seemingly better equipped to succeed
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PSG starts Champions League without a galactico but seemingly better equipped to succeed
- Paris Saint-Germain’s Qatari owners have spent lavishly to attract big stars and win the Champions League for more than a decade
Al-Hilal come from behind in dramatic win over Al-Ahli to stay top of Saudi Pro League
- Going into the game, Al-Hilal had won 38 and drawn three of their previous 41 league games
JEDDAH: Al-Hilal came back from a goal down to defeat Al-Ahli 2-1 on a dramatic Saturday evening in Jeddah to maintain their perfect record at the top of the Saudi Pro League. Two goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic at a packed King Abdullah Sport City made it six wins from six for last season's champions and this season's leaders.
Going into the game, Al-Hilal had won 38 and drawn three of their previous 41 league games, a quite staggering statistic. No wonder then that in the week, coach Jorge Jesus had said that his team would be competitive in any of the big leagues in Europe. On this showing, few would disagree.
Yet, inspired perhaps by an electric atmosphere, Al-Ahli took the lead after 12 minutes. Firas Al-Buraikan was in the centre circle and chipped a simple pass over the top for the sprinting Gabri Veiga. The Spaniard, just onside by a whisker, outpaced the chasing defenders into the right-side of the area, ran past Yassine Bounou and then fired into the empty net to the dismay of the blue-shirted fans behind the goal. They did not feel any better when the former Celta Vigo man then held out his arms in the style of Jude Bellingham and then put his fingers to his lips
It seemed to wake Hilal up. After 20 minutes Renan Lodi curled a delightful ball into the area. Aleksandar Mitrovic got there before Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi, in goal for the injured Edouard Mendy, but Merih Demiral managed to get back to hook the ball clear off the line. Soon after, Mitrovic fired just wide from the edge of the area.
It seemed to be third time lucky for the Serbian sharpshooter two minutes before the break. Joao Cancelo floated over the perfect cross from the right and there was no way that Mitrovic was going to waste such an invitation and he headed firmly into the net. His eighth goal of the season was, however, ruled out for offside.
After the break, the Blues continued to push for the equaliser and didn’t have to wait too long. It was Mitrovic again and it was an excellent Lodi cross again. The Brazilian found the former Fulham forward on the edge of the six yard box and there was only going to be one outcome. It was the 69th successive game in which Al-Hilal have scored --a phenomenal record.
There was almost another on the hour as Al-Sanbi had to dive smartly to push away a Ruben Neves free-kick that was destined for the back of the net. And then, somehow, a few minutes later, Hilal were denied again. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s shot from inside the area was blocked on the line, then Al-Sanbi got down very well to keep out Salem Al-Dawsari’s attempt from the rebound.
Al-Hilal were turning the screw and got their big chance with 18 minutes remaining as Rayan Hamed brought down Malcom in the area. Mitrovic stepped up to take the spot kick but Al-Sanbi guessed right and made another fine diving save. Unfortunately for the home fans, and perhaps all those hoping to see Al-Hilal drop points, the ‘keeper had come off his line to make the save and a retake was ordered. Mitrovic made no mistake at the second time of asking.
The hosts did their utmost to get an equalizer but were unable to do so - Riyad Mahrez came close with a shot that went just wide in the 95th minute - and have now lost three of their first six games. Al-Hilal moved three points clear of Al-Ittihad in second while Al-Nassr are in third thanks to a comfortable 3-0 disposal of Al-Orubah.
Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring after 17 minutes, firing home from the spot after a handball in the area to record his fifth league goal of the season. The Portuguese megastar then turned provider 12 minutes later with a smart pass from the left into the feet of the incoming Sadio Mane who then took one touch and then fired a low shot into the far corner.
Mane grabbed his second to seal the win, not that it was really in doubt, with a side footed volley 19 minutes from time that was originally ruled out for offside before VAR intervened.
Arsenal hit back in style after Southampton scare
- Mikel Arteta’s side were rocked by Cameron Archer’s shock opener for the winless visitors early in the second half at the Emirates Stadium
- Bukayo Saka wrapped up Arsenal’s fifth win in seven league games
LONDON: Arsenal staged a stirring fightback to keep their Premier League title challenge on course with a 3-1 victory against struggling Southampton on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side were rocked by Cameron Archer’s shock opener for the winless visitors early in the second half at the Emirates Stadium.
But Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli struck in quick succession to restore order, before Bukayo Saka wrapped up Arsenal’s fifth win in seven league games.
After finishing as runners-up to Manchester City for the last two years, the Gunners are again in contention for their first title since 2004.
Saka this week said he expects Arsenal to finally lift the Premier League trophy this season.
They sit in third place, one point behind leaders Liverpool, after extending their unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions.
Four days after their statement victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Arsenal faced a Southampton side who have managed only one point from seven games since their promotion.
Aaron Ramsdale, who appeared 78 times in the Premier League for the Gunners, made his Emirates return and nearly gifted Arsenal an early opener with a sloppy clearance, but Raheem Sterling squandered the chance.
Arsenal dominated the first half without testing Ramsdale until stoppage-time when he parried Thomas Partey’s strike.
In the 55th minute, Sterling was out-muscled by Mateus Fernandes in midfield and he played in Archer, who broke free of William Saliba to fire a deflected shot past David Raya.
Southampton’s lead lasted just three minutes as Saka dispossessed Flynn Downes before finding Havertz in space, who confidently drilled home for his fourth goal in his last four games.
On the hour mark, Arteta introduced Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in a pair of substitutions that turned the tide.
Saka’s fine cross found Martinelli unmarked in the 68th minute and the winger’s side-footed volley went in through Ramsdale’s legs.
Tyler Dibling’s deflected shot hit the foot of Raya’s post and Adam Armstrong’s effort cannoned onto the bar in a tense finale.
But as the Saints pushed for an equalizer, Trossard broke free.
Yukinari Sugawara’s interception only fell to Saka, who blasted past Ramsdale to keep Arsenal in pursuit of their title dream.
Bayern rivals Leverkusen and Dortmund drop points in Bundesliga
- Dortmund slumped at Union Berlin to a 2-1 defeat without injured forward Karim Adeyemi
- Defending champion Leverkusen squandered an early two-goal lead over promoted Holstein Kiel and drew 2-2
BERLIN: Bayern Munich won without playing on Saturday as Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund dropped points to modest opponents.
Dortmund slumped at Union Berlin to a 2-1 defeat without injured forward Karim Adeyemi, who starred in the team’s 7-1 rout of Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Defending champion Leverkusen squandered an early two-goal lead over promoted Holstein Kiel and drew 2-2. It was only Kiel’s second point in its debut top-flight season.
Leverkusen played in a special black jersey with red trim to commemorate the club’s 120th anniversary, and for Xabi Alonso it was also a special occasion – the Spanish coach took over exactly two years before.
Leverkusen fans didn’t have to wait long to celebrate after Victor Boniface opened the scoring in the fourth minute and Jonas Hofmann made it 2-0 four minutes after that. Leverkusen looked set for a rout.
But the home team failed to make more of their dominance — Boniface had another goal ruled out for offside — and Kiel secured a lifeline before the break when Max Geschwil scored after a corner. Fiete Arp scored an unlikely equalizer from the penalty spot in the 69th.
Also, Freiburg won at Werder Bremen 1-0, and Wolfsburg enjoyed a 3-1 win in Wolfsburg.
St. Pauli was playing Mainz later.
League leader Bayern visit second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday.
Motta tight-lipped on Pogba’s Juve future after doping ban reduction
- Pogba, a World Cup winner with Les Bleus in 2018, will be able to return to competitive football from March 11 next year
- “The club will assess the situation and make a decision if necessary. Paul was a great player but he hasn’t played for a long time,” coach Motta told reporters
ROME: Thiago Motta refused on Saturday to say whether Paul Pogba had a future at Juventus after the France midfielder’s four-year doping ban was slashed to 18 months.
Pogba, a World Cup winner with Les Bleus in 2018, will be able to return to competitive football from March 11 next year following Friday’s ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Italian media report that Juve might still seek to terminate Pogba’s contract, which runs until the end of June 2026 and is reportedly worth up to 10 million euros ($10.97 million) a season.
“The club will assess the situation and make a decision if necessary. Paul was a great player but he hasn’t played for a long time,” coach Motta told reporters ahead of Sunday’s Serie A fixture with Cagliari.
“All I’m thinking about is our match tomorrow, nothing else really matters as far as I’m concerned.”
Juventus refused to comment on Pogba, who tested positive for testosterone following the Turin club’s opening Serie A fixture of last season, a 3-0 win at Udinese in August 2023.
He was provisionally suspended the following month and then banned for four years by the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal in February, a sanction which put the 31-year-old’s career at risk.
Pogba’s representatives said the testosterone came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted in the United States.
Pogba collected four Serie A titles in his first stint at Juventus between 2012 and 2016 but had a string of problems on and off the pitch after his 2022 return from Manchester United.
During the 2022-23 season, Pogba made just 10 appearances for the club, mainly due to a knee injury that also ruled him out of the World Cup in Qatar, where France lost out to Argentina in the final in December 2022.
He was also the victim of a case of organized extortion, for which six men, including his brother Mathias, were last month ordered to stand trial.
Since Pogba last played for his club at Empoli in early September last year, Juve have switched manager from Massimiliano Allegri to Motta and brought in a host of new players as part of a rebuild.
Juve, who finished third last term without Pogba, splashed out over 120 million euros on midfielders Teun Koopmeiners, Douglas Luiz and Khephren Thuram in a busy summer on the transfer market.
Liverpool extend Premier League lead with win at Palace
- Arne Slot has now won nine of his first 10 games since succeeding Jurgen Klopp
- Victory also came at a cost for Liverpool as goalkeeper Alisson Becker limped off in the closing stages ahead of a much more testing run of fixtures after the international break
LONDON: Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points thanks to Diogo Jota’s winner in a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Arne Slot has now won nine of his first 10 games since succeeding Jurgen Klopp, but will be frustrated that the visitors invited a late onslaught from the winless Eagles.
Victory also came at a cost for Liverpool as goalkeeper Alisson Becker limped off in the closing stages ahead of a much more testing run of fixtures after the international break.
Defeat leaves Palace still in the bottom three with just three points from their opening seven games.
Slot’s seamless start to succeeding saw him become the first Liverpool manager to win eight of his first nine games after beating Bologna 2-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
However, the Dutchman has been quick to point out that tougher tests lie ahead of his side’s Premier League title credentials.
Liverpool face Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City in their next six Premier League games.
Slot saw both sides of his team at Selhurst Park as they failed to make the most of their first-half dominance, but held out at the back for a fifth clean sheet in seven league games.
Palace did have the ball in the net inside 30 seconds but Eddie Nketiah had strayed offside before flicking in Ismaila Sarr’s cross.
Liverpool quickly took control and the lead after just nine minutes when Jota stole in ahead of Marc Guehi and Trevoh Chalobah to prod in Cody Gakpo’s low cross.
Jota was guilty of passing up the visitors’ best chance to add to their lead before the break.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s teasing cross did not get the finish it deserved as the Portugal international sliced well wide of the target.
Palace finally flickered into life in first-half stoppage time when Sarr was denied by a fine save from Alisson after finding a gap in the Liverpool defense.
The pattern continued into the second period with Liverpool unable to put Palace to bed.
Salah should have done better when he fired straight at Dean Henderson after being picked out by a perfect Virgil Van Dijk pass.
Jota then headed wide a glorious chance from Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick.
Slot’s men were nearly made to pay after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s introduction perked up the Palace attack.
Alisson got down low to his left to parry Nketiah’s effort before the Brazilian beat away Eberechi Eze’s powerful strike.
But Liverpool were dealt a body blow with 12 minutes remaining when Alisson pulled up with a muscle injury.
Normal back up Caoimhin Kelleher was also absent due to illness so Czech international Vitezslav Jaros was forced into his Liverpool debut.
Jaros had to make one huge save from Eze and also rushed impressively off his line to deny Mateta a sight of goal.
Arsenal and Manchester City could cut the gap at the top back to one point later on Saturday.
But Liverpool will go into the upcoming international break at the summit and happy with the start to life under Slot.
