The team were incapable of the basics against PSG and it is a wonder Spanish clubs have not exploited the weaknesses moreAs Thomas Meunier and Juan Bernat capered through the open savannah that archaeologists believe was once populated by the Real Madrid midfield, the mind was drawn to another Parisian night two and a half years ago, when Ángel Di María orchestrated an even more emphatic victory for Paris Saint-Germain over a Spanish side. As it turned out, that 4-0 win over Barcelona didn’t turn out particularly well for PSG but, more generally, what on earth is going on with midfields in La Liga?On a night when Atlético twice conceded goals on the break at home to Juventus, the issue...
Barcelona, PSG, Bayern and Juventus have won 25 of the last 28 league titles. Europe has become the only testing groundD id you feel it? The great disturbance in the force, as though millions of voices cried out in hope? Last weekend, something remarkable happened: none of the champions of Europe’s big five leagues won (a statistic that admittedly loses some of its potency when it is acknowledged that Serie A hadn’t started: Juventus kicked off their Serie A campaign on Saturday with a 1-0 win at Parma).Last season was the first time that each of the big five leagues had been retained, but here was the little man striking back: Barcelona lost, Paris Saint-Germain lost, Manchester City drew, Bayern...
The situation at Real Madrid is baffling and does no credit to Bale or Zinedine Zidane, while Neymar and Laurent Koscielny have not enhanced their reputations this summer eitherIt has been a transfer window full of the usual long-running sagas and occasional surprises, but it does seem to have been a bad-tempered few months, with more than the usual number of players – as well as the occasional manager – trying to force moves in the most public and spiteful style. Related: Transfer deadline day live! Sessegnon, Sarr, Zaha, Lukaku, Carroll latest news Related: Transfer window 2019 – every summer deal from Europe's top five leagues Nouveau joueur, nouveau maillot, retrouvez-le dès maintenant ici https://t.co/6Jb2BRKbIo pic.twitter.com/eCfsGaSUYS Continue reading...
Many Lyon fans are crying out for a new manager but the club’s veteran president is likely to stay loyal to Bruno GenesioBy Adam White and Eric Devin for Get French Football NewsThis week could prove pivotal in the recent history of Lyon. A cup semi-final and a decision over embattled coach Bruno Genesio’s future will go some way to shaping the club’s longer term prospects. Outspoken yet inspirational president Jean-Michel Aulas looks likely to persist with Genesio, whose stewardship of the team has fluctuated wildly during his three years in charge, in a decision that will incite fan ire and ignore flirtatious glances from José Mourinho. Aulas’ stubbornness may have finally gotten the better of him.During Aulas’ 32-year presidency,...
Manchester United’s interim manager gets what his club are all about – offering hope, excitement and a sense of belongingAt the final whistle inside the Parc des Princes, Manchester United’s players started running, haring across in a ragged, joyful cavalry charge towards the narrow band of their supporters at the far end.Shirts were pulled off and hurled in the air. Scott McTominay did a European-record triple jump through the centre circle. Halfway there Chris Smalling looked down, noticed he still had the ball in his hands and hoofed it so high into the air it’s probably still up there in the Paris skies, surfing on the weird voodoo of that moment. Related: Manchester United rock PSG, plus Football Leaks –...