PARIS: Ligue 1 leader Paris Saint-Germain host third-placed Strasbourg on Friday with just one point separating them.
While PSG’s position at the top is no surprise, Strasbourg — owned by Chelsea’s parent company BlueCo. since 2023 — are exceeding expectations.
The team feature homegrown talents and have been flourishing since English coach Liam Rosenior took over. This season, Strasbourg became the first team in the history of the five major European domestic leagues to field 11 starters born in 2000 or later, according to Ligue 1 statistics.
The faith in youth is bringing dividends. With 14 goals in seven matches — the third best attack in the league — and the competition’s top scorer, Argentine forward Joaquin Panichelli, Strasbourg travel to the Parc des Princes full of confidence after routing Angers 5-0 before the international break.
Key matchups
Behind PSG, Marseille and Lyon are level on points with Strasbourg. Combining defensive stability and attacking efficiency, Marseille will chase a sixth win against Le Havre on Saturday.
Lyon look to bounce back at Nice following a home loss against Toulouse.
Monaco’s new manager Sébastien Pocognoli gets his first taste of Ligue 1 at Angers. Monaco are fifth, three points behind PSG.
Players to watch
After struggling to live up to the early hype of becoming the next Lionel Messi at Barcelona, Ansu Fati has found a new lease on life at Monaco.
Fati joined the Principality side this summer on a season-long loan in a bid to revive his injury-hit career and, so far, it’s paying off.
Fati scored twice from the penalty spot in a 2-2 draw against Nice before the international break and set a new record: Since the 1947–1948 season, no player had needed so little time — just 126 minutes — to score five goals at the start of a Ligue 1 career with a new club.
He surpassed Johan Audel, who took 137 minutes for Valenciennes (2007–08) and Emmanuel Rivière, who needed 174 minutes for Monaco (2013–14).
Fati also is the league joint top scorer with Panichelli,
Out of action
Marseille striker Amine Gouiri could miss the Le Havre match after suffering a right shoulder injury in a collision with Uganda’s goalkeeper while playing for Algeria.
PSG will still be without captain Marquinhos but forward Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé could return in time for the Strasbourg match.
Off the field
The hot topic of the week is Dembélé’s future at PSG ,and the club’s need to re-evaluate his wages following his Ballon d’Or win.
According to L’Équipe newspaper, PSG plan to capitalize on the 28-year-old’s achievement to boost their global image and attract new sponsorships. However, the club must renegotiate his contract which runs until 2028.
L’Équipe estimates Dembélé earns more than 1.5 million euros ($1.7 million) per month — the highest salary in the squad — and reported that his representatives are seeking a raise that reflects his new status, his impressive 2024 season (35 goals, 16 assists), and his growing influence within the team.
But with tighter financial fair play rules and reduced TV revenues, PSG are wary of returning to the wage levels once paid to Messi and Neymar (around 30 million euros net annually).
Exciting Strasbourg youngsters face PSG test in Ligue 1
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Exciting Strasbourg youngsters face PSG test in Ligue 1
- While PSG’s position at the top is no surprise, Strasbourg are exceeding expectations
- This season, Strasbourg became the first team in the history of the five major European domestic leagues to field 11 starters born in 2000 or later
Campaigners demand action after 4 Premier League players racially abused on ‘appalling weekend’
- Anti-discrimination campaigners have bemoaned an “appalling weekend” in the Premier League after four players were targeted with racial abuse on their social media accounts following games
- It said “this has been an appalling weekend after four players called out the racist abuse they’ve received on social media. But the sad fact is, we know it happens regularly”
LONDON: Anti-discrimination campaigners bemoaned an “appalling weekend” in the Premier League after four players were targeted with racial abuse on their social media accounts following games.
Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana and Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri shared images of racist messages they were sent privately over Instagram following their teams’ match at Stamford Bridge on Saturday that finished 1-1.
Wolverhampton striker Tolu Arokodare showed racially aggravated messages he received on Instagram after a 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace on Sunday, during which he had a penalty saved.
Sunderland said its winger, Romaine Mundle, was also subjected to “vile online racist abuse” after his substitute appearance in a 3-1 home loss to Fulham.
Kick It Out, a British-based anti-discrimination charity, repeated its calls for platforms to do more to address the problem.
“This has been an appalling weekend after four players called out the racist abuse they’ve received on social media. But the sad fact is, we know it happens regularly,” the organization said.
“The message from them is loud and clear: action must follow. Players cannot be expected to tolerate this behavior, and nor should anyone else.”
The Premier League also condemned the abuse of the players.
“There are serious consequences for anybody found guilty of discrimination and we will offer our full support with their investigations,” the competition said. “Football is for everyone — there is no room for racism.”
The 22-year-old Mundle has since deleted his Instagram account, the Sunderland Echo newspaper reported.
The incidents came days after UEFA began an investigation into claims by Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior that he was racially abused on the field by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League game in Lisbon.
