Uncategorized

Six Nations: Wales defence coach Mike Forshaw takes inspiration from predecessor Shaun Edwards

Wales defence coach Mike Forshaw says Shaun Edwards has greatly impacted his life but claims he will be doing things his way in the coaching set-up. Edwards, who is now the France defence coach, previously held the same role with Wales with great success during his time under Warren Gatland. Old friends Forshaw and Edwards both played for Wigan in rugby league and have a lot of history between them. The defence coach revealed a…

Continue reading

Uncategorized

Marseille and Nice sanctioned by UEFA, set to host matches in empty stadiums

Marseille and Nice have become the latest clubs to face sanctions from UEFA as a result of troubling fan incidents, with the Disciplinary Committee of the governing body ruling that both clubs will host their next matches in the respective European competition in an empty stadium. As reported by L’Équipe, OM will play Sporting CP in a stadium without supporters on the back of the sanctions that penalised the Ligue 1 side after a host…

Continue reading

Uncategorized

Monaco’s Ruben Aguilar ruled out for a few weeks

Monaco full-back Ruben Aguilar has been ruled out of action for a few weeks with an injury to his left foot, as confirmed by his manager Philippe Clement. As reported by RMC Sport, Clement disclosed the news of Aguilar’s lengthy absence ahead of their Ligue 1 fixture against Nantes on Sunday. Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Friday, the manager said: “Ruben has a problem with one foot. He had an inflammation that got…

Continue reading

Uncategorized

10 Montpellier supporters banned from stadiums after Toulouse turmoil

Ligue 1 witnessed another fan disorder last weekend, with the game between Toulouse and Montpellier suspended for 15 minutes on Sunday after police had to throw tear gas to restrain the aggression. According to L’Équipe, ten Montpellier supporters were banned from stadiums following their appearance before the judge on Tuesday. The report suggests that they were banned from entering stadiums after being found guilty of carrying firecrackers and smoke bombs in Sunday’s Occitanie derby. One…

Continue reading

Uncategorized

Laurent Blanc heaps praise on RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku

Linked with a transfer to Chelsea, RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku has seen massive improvements in his game since leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. Considered one of the top young players in the world, the PSG youth graduate earned plaudits from the newly-hired Lyon manager, Laurent Blanc. Speaking to L’Équipe, Blanc admitted that seeing Nkunku, who was coached at PSG during the pair’s time at the French capital, at the highest level made him happy.…

Continue reading

Uncategorized

Kylian Mbappé’s decision to leave PSG is reportedly final

L’Équipe report today that according to Kylian Mbappé’s entourage, it is now impossible to mend relations with the club, not least after yesterday’s claims from Mediapart that the club had led campaigns against media outlets and players on social media using an external agency. His team had previously said that his decision to leave just months after renewing his contract had also come for reasons with “went beyond football”, although the club’s Sporting Adviser Luís Campos has denied…

Continue reading

Uncategorized

Lionel Messi named Ligue 1 player of the month for September

Paris Saint-Germain’s Lionel Messi has been named Ligue 1 player of the month for September by the players’ union, having taken 58% of the vote. He beat out Lorient’s Dango Ouattara – 31% – and Lille striker Jonathan David, with the league’s joint top scorer getting 12% of votes cast. The Argentine continued his return to top form this season by notching three assists and a goal in the league last month, including the winning…

Continue reading

Uncategorized

Chelsea set to hire Monaco technical director Laurence Stewart

The Athletic are reporting that Chelsea are set to hire AS Monaco technical director Laurence Stewart, with an agreement between the clubs already in place. Stewart will form part of a “revamped set-up” at Chelsea as new owner Todd Boehly arranges the furniture at his recently acquired club. The American businessman has already stated a desire to implement a multi-club model, something that Stewart is used to from his time in the Red Bull set-up.  At Monaco,…

Continue reading

Uncategorized

Inter Miami and Barcelona approach Lionel Messi for summer transfer

RMC Sport report this afternoon that both Barcelona and Inter Miami have reached out to Lionel Messi’s entourage over the possibility of a move next summer, with the Argentine potentially a free agent this summer. The forward’s contract expires at the end of a season but includes an option for a third year in Paris – it remains unclear what Messi himself intends to do, but PSG believe a final decision is unlikely to come before…

Continue reading

Uncategorized

PLAYER RATINGS | Lille 1-1 Rennes: Mandanda heroics earn point for visitors

Lille had to settle for a draw despite a dominant home performance, as they stifled Rennes’ usually devastating frontline but were unable to convert enough of their chances to secure the three points. Les Dogues won the midfield battle decisively in the first half, constantly pressing Rennes and launching quick counter-attacks, although their forwards’ finishing touch would desert them. It was the veteran José Fonte who would open the scoring instead for the hosts, as…

Continue reading