French Ligue 1

Neymar-less PSG Uninspiring Against Montpellier

Published

7 years ago

September 24, 2017

Neymar has proved how important he is as his Paris Saint-Germain lost their perfect start in the Ligue 1 season struggling to a goalless draw with Montpellier in Saturday match in which the injured Brazilian did not feature.

The world’s most expensive player was also rested to ensure his fitness for Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Bayern Munich. In his absence, PSG were uninspiring in attack against a stubborn Montpellier side playing in a 5-4-1 formation.

Rising star Kylian Mbappe had the best of the visitors’ chances, but the 18-year-old was profligate in front of goal as Unai Emery’s men could only extend their lead at the top of the table over reigning champions Monaco to one point.

PSG started slowly as Montpellier comfortably kept them at arm’s length.

The visitors unsurprisingly had most of the ball, but Montpellier looked a threat on the counter-attack with the pace of Claude Ninga up front.

Without Neymar pulling the strings, Paris were toothless for the first 45 minutes, with some players perhaps keeping one eye on the Bayern game.

PSG did finally create a decent chance shortly after the restart, as Montpellier threw away possession on the edge of their own area and Mbappe curled a tame shot straight at home goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte.

The teenager, who will become the world’s second-most expensive player behind Neymar when he completes his permanent transfer from Monaco next year, should have broken the deadlock, but headed wide when unmarked from only a few yards out.

Mbappe was starting to make an impact, as he raced through on goal only to scuff his shot and allow the home defence to clear.

PSG coach, Emery belatedly made his first change in the 66th minute with Lucas Moura replacing the ineffective Julian Draxler.

Striker Edinson Cavani, who missed a penalty last week after an argument with Neymar, had an appeal for a spot-kick waved away after going down in a heap under a potentially goal-saving tackle from defender Pedro Mendes.

Last season’s runners-up were left frustrated by Montpellier’s organisation as they mustered only one shot on target.

On Friday, Monaco had put the pressure on PSG at the summit as Radamel Falcao took his goal tally for the season to 11 with a brace in a 4-0 thrashing of Lille.

The champions were barely made to sweat by their pitiful hosts, whose coach Marcelo Bielsa is now under serious pressure after a six-match winless run.

French Ligue 1

Mbappe Set To Quit PSG –

Published

2 months ago

February 16, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Sealed And Delivered! Mbappe Has Already Signed Contract With Real Madrid -

France captain Kylian Mbappe has informed Paris St Germain that he is leaving the club in July as a free agent seven years after joining them, The Athletic website reported on Thursday.

Mbappe, a member of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning team, signed for PSG from Monaco in 2017 for 180 million euros ($194 million) to become the second most expensive player ever after Brazilian Neymar, who joined the French champions the same year for 222 million euros.

“Mbappe has communicated his decision to PSG but the terms of his exit are yet to be fully agreed. An official announcement is expected once the situation is finalised in the next few months,” the report said.

The 25-year-old striker, who helped the capital club win five Ligue 1 titles and three French Cups, is PSG’s all-time leading scorer with 243 goals in 290 appearances.

PSG have not responded to a request for comment.

Mbappe last year sent a letter to PSG stating that he would not take up the option to extend his contract by a year when it expires in June.

He has long been linked with Real Madrid, reportedly rejecting a 200 million euro ($215.36 million) offer in 2021. He was again set for a move to the LaLiga side in 2022 before announcing a contract extension with PSG before the transfer window opened.

PSG, who lead the Ligue 1 standings by 11 points, host Nice on Friday.

-Reuters

French Ligue 1

PSG STARS, MBAPPE & RABIOT PUNISHED FOR GETTING CARRIED AWAY BY EL CLASICO

Published

5 years ago

November 1, 2018

fatSpiders

World Cup winner with France as well as PSG, Kylian Mbappe and Adrien Rabiot were punished for watching El Clasico on Sunday and arriving late for PSG’s team meeting.nn nnAccording to Mirror, PSG players Kylian Mbappe and Adrien Rabiot were dropped from the team’s starting eleven against Marseille on Sunday because of the late arrival to the team’s meeting ahead of the game.nn nnIt is reported that the Frenchmen were watching Barcelona’s domination over Real Madrid at the Camp Nou and turned up 25 minutes late forcing the head coach Thomas Tuchel to impose disciplinary measures.nn nn“It’s a disciplinary decision [for Rabiot and Mbappe],” Tuchel said after the match. “The collective is always more important than individuals.”nn nnInterestingly, PSG were unable to breach Marseille’s defence without Mbappe who was introduced in the 62nd minute and only needed three minutes to score the winner.nn nn“I hate playing without Kylian in a match like that. He gave a good answer, but I do not like it. It’s a bit difficult,” Tuchel added.nn nnAdrien Rabiot got some minutes too as he replaced Angel Di Maria in the second half.nn nnBoth Mbappe and Rabiot were linked with Barcelona and Real Madrid during a couple of the most recent transfer windows but they remain in Paris at the moment.nn nnThe media expect the La Liga giants to approach the players in winter of summer 2019.nn nn nn

French Ligue 1

I HAVE SETTLE RIFT WITH NEYMAR, SAYS CAVANI

Published

6 years ago

May 4, 2018

Kunle Solaja

Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani has revealed that the rift between him and Brazil’s Neymar has been settled. Both PSG players almost fought on the pitch earlier in the season over who should take a penalty kick award.

The ex-Barca man – now out with an injury – asked Cavani to let him take a spot kick during the second half of a 2-0 win over Lyon back in September, and that led to a bit of a quarrel during the match.

According to 90 min, the Uruguayan Cavani confirmed that the argument did lead to a continued rift, which they have since sorted out.

“It is true that there was a problem at that time with Neymar,” the striker explained. “We spoke about it together – I told him that I was the first to want him to win things individually. However, I told him there was a condition and that was that he must put the squad’s collective objectives first.

“I am a footballing worker – I am not a star. If I have teammates who can win individual accolades, then I will do everything to help them. They must put the team’s goals first, though. Gradually, we have come to an understanding. The team’s superiors have taken a decision and I have respected it.

“The supporters whistling, this was not good for him. If I was in his position there, it sincerely would not have pleased me.”

Cavani also insisted that there is need for more unity at PSG, urging the squad to come together as ‘family’ after what was a disastrous campaign in the Champions League.

“To me, football is like life,” said Cavani. “It is absolutely vital to give everything and stick together — we must be more united, more together. We have to express ourselves greater as a unit and not just a team. We must be brothers – family.”