Really going to test Nasser's patience if Luis Enrique strings that sort of performances for a while... Though of course it all hinges on a good showing in the CL. Objectively the team is in control and once you can find how to translate that into goals, PSG could be a much stronger side overall... If it can get there.
Ligue 1 2023/24
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss United's last 3 games - two much-needed wins vs. Burnley in the Premier League and Palace in the League Cup, as well as a the 4-3 loss away at Bayern. They discuss the defence, new options in midfield with Hannibal and Amrabat now in contention and look forward to games vs. Palace (again!) and Galatasary.
Mbappe proving hopeless without Messi and Neymar carrying him.
So it actually isn't unlikely that PSG won't win the league?
They're still massive favorites. The squad is just too strong. Very good impression by Ugarte, they maybe found that one DM that can hold it all together by himself. Also very encouraging starts by Ramos up top.
Maybe if Mbappé leaves this year, especially if creativity remains an issue, they become more vulnerable. Wouldn't bet in it though maybe another team will be on fire this year to compete all throughout.
Last season was shambolic, with PSG conceding 7 defeats, the highest since 2011/2022 (they lost 8 in 2020/2021, Lille OSC won the league), had their highest goals against total in years, etc... I doubt they'll repeat that.
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Much better end to the Lens-Rennes game after a dour first hour or so. Le Fee had a shocker, Matic coming on has given Rennes somewhat of a base to play with, Lens still with the better chances though
They shouldn’t have won it last year. Hopefully another club can catch fire like Lille did a couple of seasons ago
Takumi Minamino scored 3 plus 2 assists in 3 games for AS Monaco (FCNA 3 - 3 ASM yesterday) this year and having his best season in ages already. Had a hard time after leaving RB Salzburg but maybe one to follow this year.
Solid goal from Asensio today after some great work from Vitinha. Love the latter and he's quite press resistant and great at carrying the ball forward. Him and Verrati could have been solid alternatives to FDJ for United last summer.
As for Dembele today, feels like he's still got the same strengths and weaknesses he's always had. Unbelievable at beating his full back but still not making the best choices in attack even though he's got his full back on toast.
As for Dembele today, feels like he's still got the same strengths and weaknesses he's always had. Unbelievable at beating his full back but still not making the best choices in attack even though he's got his full back on toast.
PSG up 1-0 at HT against RC Lens : Goal by Asensio, assist by Warren Zaïre-Emery.
Mbappé on the left but in attack phase more of a 4-2-4 apparently.
Mbappé on the left but in attack phase more of a 4-2-4 apparently.
Mbappe with a great goal.
PSG are playing some decent football.
Not a surprise but Ugarte still with a monster game at DM apparently. Lucas Hernandez also doing good.
Mbappé added another one with a strike deviated twice by defenders and RC Lens scored late (deviation too).
Supporters a little unsure on how pressing resistant the system will be because Ugarte/Zaïre-Emery have all the work to do to progress the ball. Lens more than defended itself but fizzled out after an hour.
Mbappé added another one with a strike deviated twice by defenders and RC Lens scored late (deviation too).
Supporters a little unsure on how pressing resistant the system will be because Ugarte/Zaïre-Emery have all the work to do to progress the ball. Lens more than defended itself but fizzled out after an hour.
Ugarte was indeed very good and he and Emery provided a good base while Vitinha kept bombing forward. The midfield is solid but you still have an attack where they don't contribute much defensively so the problems will be similar once it comes to the biggest stages.
My knowledge of French football mostly boils down to what I read on here. I took a look at the lineup that PSG fielded last evening and it looks very meh. So my question for people who actually follow the league is - have they given up on trying to win the CL? Their squad looks the worst it has been since the takeover.
They're starting a new cycle. Yesterday the oldest player on pitch was Marquinhos (29) and the average age of the players on the field was below 24 apparently (Zaïre-Emery is 17 so drags it down but still). They got S.Ramos, Messi and Neymar out. I think the back four is significantly upgraded (though Lucas Hernandez injury record may be a recurring issue), Ugarte may be the midfield engine that team lacked for many seasons, the front line is a lot less scintillating glamour wise but Mbappé (?), Dembélé, Ramos, Asensio is way, way above average. Kang In Lee is there, possibly Kolo Muani ? Next year Xavi Simons is back from his loan so maybe there will be a good spot for him to take in that team. Front unit seems more than sorted.
If Mbappé goes, even if replaced by Kolo-Muani, the team definitely slip a notch down. The biggest unknown otherwise is Verratti, but if he stays he could maybe do a job in the rotation. If he leaves they need a replacement.
They just won convincingly against the team that finished 2nd last year.
I think they very much still target the CL and the objective is at least to reach QFs. Maybe could do with a couple of big recruits next year to round it up but that's a solid core that should be good for the next 3 seasons (defense will maybe need new blood by that point).
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PSG are finally trying to build a team instead to just buy whoever the hot name on the market is. For that purpose they need time so this year is may be a bit transitional but if they keep up in the same direction may be they will finally win the CL in the next few years..
Thank you
Lyon finally with points on the board. Intense finish to that game
On another note, very good game from Todibo i thought
On another note, very good game from Todibo i thought
Gones are awfully gloomy at the moment and not very optimistic for the season. Laurent Blanc feels like he is on his way out since the end of last year and Textor taking over. No love lost between the two but new ownership being indecisive is not a surprise. Playing PSG next week so RIP.
OM fans are cautious (third coach in three seasons), the high intensity trading of players -much like Lyon- feels like gambling the house every 6 months but generally are pleased with the first games, at least on an individual player level. Sore about missing the CL but realistic that they have a better chance in the EL to feature honourably rather than finishing bottom of some C1 group.
I feel RC Lens had a decent transfer window and wasn't too weakened but they're starting with difficult fixtures.
OM fans are cautious (third coach in three seasons), the high intensity trading of players -much like Lyon- feels like gambling the house every 6 months but generally are pleased with the first games, at least on an individual player level. Sore about missing the CL but realistic that they have a better chance in the EL to feature honourably rather than finishing bottom of some C1 group.
I feel RC Lens had a decent transfer window and wasn't too weakened but they're starting with difficult fixtures.
Feel they miss the leadership of Seko Fofana, tough to replace what he brought on the pitch. Elye Wahi looks a good signing, will be interesting to see if he can replace Openda as an outlet.
An incredible lowlight from OGCN - OL
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The whispers of Laurent Blanc being sacked by Olympique Lyonnais are trickling in the press, depending on the results of their next game.
Their next game : Hosting PSG.
Their next game : Hosting PSG.
Olympique Lyonnais is showing worrying signs.
Former owner Jean-Michel Aulas went through courts to have the accounts seized as he is waiting for a payment of 14,5m€ he is owed by the Eagle Group.
The Eagle Group is fronted by John Textor and has a minority share in Crystal Palace, owns Botafogo in Brazil and RWD Molenbeek in Belgium. There's already all sorts of shady transfers between the OL and those clubs. They're selling any Academy players they can and he's in a not so private tussle with coach Laurent Blanc.
Oh yeah they sold 52% of the shares of their women's team (8 CL, one treble) to another US businesswomen.
Former owner Jean-Michel Aulas went through courts to have the accounts seized as he is waiting for a payment of 14,5m€ he is owed by the Eagle Group.
The Eagle Group is fronted by John Textor and has a minority share in Crystal Palace, owns Botafogo in Brazil and RWD Molenbeek in Belgium. There's already all sorts of shady transfers between the OL and those clubs. They're selling any Academy players they can and he's in a not so private tussle with coach Laurent Blanc.
Oh yeah they sold 52% of the shares of their women's team (8 CL, one treble) to another US businesswomen.
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Lyon signed big talent Ernest Nuamah from Nordsjælland for around €30m.
Well, I say they signed him, actually, little Belgian club RWD Molenbeek signed him and immediately loaned him to Lyon with an obligation to buy.
Well, I say they signed him, actually, little Belgian club RWD Molenbeek signed him and immediately loaned him to Lyon with an obligation to buy.
There's also Jeffinho who moved to Lyon from Botafogo and supporters are a little mum ("Not sure he has the L1 level ?"). I think the Eagle Group is going to make headlines for the wrong reasons soon. Their takeover of Lyon was already a little... messy and while Aulas is clearly bitter of being ousted / having sold, it's not very reassuring the new owners are still being tardy on payments.
UEFA will have to look into that multi club ownership situation. QSI has a (minority) stake in Braga. This is also what Boehly is aiming to do.
Lyon getting glassed at home by PSG, 0-4 with an hour played.
Minamino again excellent with Monaco yesterday. One assist, bringing his total to 3G + 2A in 4 games.
Minamino again excellent with Monaco yesterday. One assist, bringing his total to 3G + 2A in 4 games.
When the match ended, the leader of the Lyon ultras got on the mic and gave the squad a public tongue-lashing. Weirdest thing I've seen in a while.
The mood is bad at Lyon. Laurent Blanc probably on sack watch too.
(Final result 1-4)
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Truth is that I have seen scenes like that in countries where the ultra culture is a thing. It may be unfamiliar for us who watch English football, but this is the kind of alarm clock/voice of reason I want owners and players alike to hear when things aren't going well. Lyon are bottom of Ligue 1 after 4 matches (same as Lens too!
); no wonder why people are angry over there.For those who don't go on Twitter:
That's not a first but I don't think it gets broadcasted usually.
Lens has had a difficult schedule upfront (Monaco, PSG, Rennes). So far supporters feel there is an urgency missing that was there last season. They're maybe not doing as good a season as last year but maybe the fire will lit with the Champion's League.
Lens has had a difficult schedule upfront (Monaco, PSG, Rennes). So far supporters feel there is an urgency missing that was there last season. They're maybe not doing as good a season as last year but maybe the fire will lit with the Champion's League.
They need something different to get more viewers.
I guess it makes for fresh drama. Though the image of the players standing awkwardly while being scolded by a not-so-eloquent capo with platitudes leaves me ambivalent.
Generally that stuff happens off mic or the next day when the players enter training grounds.
But as I said upthread the club is in a rotten place. On notice by the financial watchdog, ex-owner stirring drama up in interviews & going through courts to get paid, new owner being either a conman or a mediocre avatar of the new US multiclub model, all the promising players being sold, manager being completely checked out and losing the locker room (lots of talk of Blanc only discovering video analysis recently and players being a little derisive of his mastery of the tool)...
Things will maybe even out and they'll end in the soft underbelly of midtable, the squad is not so atrocious if a little thin.
Defensively that was an atrocious first half by Lyon last night but funnily enough I thought their general play wasn't too bad. But every decent spell of play they had led to a PSG goal.
The individual ability on that team too isn't shabby and I liked the new RW, Nuamah. Looked raw but lively.
The individual ability on that team too isn't shabby and I liked the new RW, Nuamah. Looked raw but lively.
Yeah they didn't park the bus, per fans, and tried to actually play. Awful defensive mistakes that were immediately punished even if PSG had a lesser performance than against Lens.
Marco Verratti signed in Qatar, didn't even get to make a last cameo at home. That reeks man.
Otherwise Laurent Blanc was sacked at Lyon so the adventures to find a new coach are ongoing. Potter said no. Lampard was on the list (and has been for a while, apparently ? Go figure). Gattuso was strongly hinted at but now it's Fabio Grosso (2006 World Cup winner, Lyon player for two seasons, and crowned Serie B champion with Frosinone Calcio as a manager) whose name is making the rounds.
Otherwise Laurent Blanc was sacked at Lyon so the adventures to find a new coach are ongoing. Potter said no. Lampard was on the list (and has been for a while, apparently ? Go figure). Gattuso was strongly hinted at but now it's Fabio Grosso (2006 World Cup winner, Lyon player for two seasons, and crowned Serie B champion with Frosinone Calcio as a manager) whose name is making the rounds.
Verratti had a nice homage organised before PSG-OGC Nice : Guard of honour from the current players, staff and management. The whole Parc chanting his name, banners. Video clips of Blaise Matuidi, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Thiago Silva & Zlatan Ibrahimovic playing on the giant screen. He was very emotional.
Club legend, straight up, the only (or at least the one) post oil money. At one point I hoped he would play well into his thirties here. That transfer to Qatar is bittersweet.
The game ? 1-1 at HT. Mbappé scored. He has the armband. Marquinhos and Ugarte on the bench, probably to keep them fresh for the UCL game.
Club legend, straight up, the only (or at least the one) post oil money. At one point I hoped he would play well into his thirties here. That transfer to Qatar is bittersweet.
The game ? 1-1 at HT. Mbappé scored. He has the armband. Marquinhos and Ugarte on the bench, probably to keep them fresh for the UCL game.
Moffi is just sensational. What a signing he has been for Nice
PSG conceded two goals from bad defending around the halfway line.
Looks like another big scalp for Nice away from home in 2023. Moffi been in beast mode everytime.