Montecarlo monaco

Metz' French-Senegalese midfielder Opa NGuette (R) vies with Lyon's Ivorian forward Maxwel Cornet during the French L1 football match between Metz (FC Metz) and Lyon (OL) at Saint Symphorien stadium in Longeville-lès-Metz, eastern France, on December 06, 2020.(JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN / AFP) Christophe Galtier's men dug deep at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy to end Monaco's four-match winning streak and move back to within two points of reigning champions PSG. Lyon are behind Monaco on goal difference after brushing aside Metz 3-1. Marseille are two points further back in third, but have two games in hand. "This result is important because we were facing a direct competitor and we hadn't won much recently," said Lille coach Galtier. "When I see what Paris did on Saturday, by beating Montpellier despite rotating eight players, I tell myself that it remains PSG (as title favourites). "To be very honest, I look at what is happening behind us... There is a terrible fight with Monaco, Marseille, Lyon or Montpellier." Lille, who were held to a draw by struggling Saint-Etienne last weekend, had the best chance of the opening half but Jonathan Bamba's strike was well saved by away goalkeeper Vito Mannone. Lille broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute. Jonathan Ikone avoided two challenges on the edge of the area before slipping a pass through for Canadian striker Jonathan David to score. The hosts doubled their advantage midway through the second half as Turkish internationals Burak Yilmaz and Yazici combined, with the latter slotting in from close range. Yazici, who was introduced as a substitute three minutes before his goal, has scored four times in the league this season despite only starting twice. Pietro Pellegri pulled one back for Monaco in the 90th minute, but there was not enough time for an equaliser. The principality club sit fifth, five points behind PSG, who saw off Montpellier 3-1 on Saturday. "It would have deserved to end in a draw, so …

[Read more...] about Lille, Lyon win to keep pressure on PSG

Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe (L) vies with Saint-Etienne's French midfielder Romain Hamouma (C) during the French L1 football match between Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) and Saint-Etienne, on January 6, 2021 at Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne.(Philippe DESMAZES / AFP) The defending league champions fell behind early on to Romain Hamouma's strike before Moise Kean levelled soon after, but laboured in the second half and failed to find a winner. "Of course I'm disappointed because we're PSG, we want to win," Pochettino told Telefoot. "I'm happy with the effort made by the players, by their attitude." The former Tottenham boss was only confirmed as Thomas Tuchel's successor on Saturday, four days after the German's sacking was officially announced. But the scale of the task facing the former PSG defender was laid out in front of him at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard as the capital-city giants' title defence suffered another blow. "This is just the beginning," added the 48-year-old Pochettino. "We have to get to know each other. It was difficult because the preparation was too short. "It's positive but there are things to improve." Lyon survived a late Lens comeback to extend their lead with a 3-2 win, with Memphis Depay's double proving crucial. PSG did move into second, above Lille on goal difference, after Christophe Galtier's team slipped to a surprise 2-1 home loss to Angers. Pochettino made just two changes to the final starting XI selected by Tuchel for the 4-0 win over Strasbourg before the winter break, with Moise Kean and Idrissa Gueye returning in place of Rafinha and Timothee Pembele. PSG started well going forwards but looked vulnerable at the back and were made to pay in the 19th minute as Gueye carelessly lost possession on the edge of his own area. Denis Bouanga had plenty of time to pick out Romain Hamouma, who tapped into the net. But the visitors wasted little time in equalising as Kean repaid …

[Read more...] about PSG held in ‘disappointed’ Pochettino’s first match, Lyon extend lead

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian defender Marquinhos celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goalduring the UEFA Champions League group H football match between Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on December 2, 2020.(Oli SCARFF / AFP) Neymar scored twice in Manchester and then publicly stated his wish to team up again with his old Barcelona teammate next season, telling ESPN: "I want to play with him for sure, next year we have to do it." With Messi having spent the last close season trying to engineer a move away from Barcelona, who are suffering badly from the economic impact of the coronavirus, Neymar perhaps feels a reunion in Paris is more likely than his return to the Camp Nou. Meanwhile PSG are pondering how to deal with Neymar's contract, and that of Kylian Mbappe, which both expire in 2022. The Qatar-owned club are also feeling the effects of the pandemic, which has slashed ticket revenue in particular, with games in France being played behind closed doors. Qualifying for the Champions League last 16 would provide a financial boost. Thomas Tuchel's team only require a draw at home to Istanbul Basaksehir next week to seal their progress. "I didn't come to Paris to play in the Europa League," Neymar told Brazil's Esporte Interativo. However, Tuchel warned: "We have almost qualified, which means we have not qualified yet. That is the reality. Being almost pregnant does not mean you are pregnant." Last season's Champions League runners-up are a work in progress and they have allowed the chasing domestic pack to catch up. A loss at Monaco and a draw with Bordeaux in their last two matches have left PSG just two points clear of Lille, Lyon, Monaco and Montpellier in Ligue 1. PSG go to Montpellier this weekend knowing a defeat would knock them off top spot. Montpellier, though, are without their top scorer Andy Delort after he tested positive for coronavirus for …

[Read more...] about PSG lifted by crucial Champions League success as Neymar courts Messi