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PSG Ready To Shock Liverpool – Enrique

PARIS: Doubts about Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) ability to remain a dominant force in the Champions League following the departure of Kylian Mbappe are beginning to fade amid a stunning performance that has put the French club in perfect position ahead of a blockbuster last-16 clash with Liverpool.

The Qatari-owned club won the French league and cup double and reached the Champions League semi-finals in Luis Enrique’s first season in charge, with Mbappe scoring 44 goals.

With the France captain gone, PSG splashed out on new signings in the summer with the arrivals of Joao Neves, Desire Doue, Willian Pacho and Matvey Safonov.

However, the decision not to recruit a top scorer was seen to be self-defeating as they struggled in Europe while Randal Kolo Muani was ignored.

PSG have found the net just three times in their first five Champions League games this season, as defeats to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich left them on the brink of elimination before the knockout stages.

But their achievements in the last three months have been sensational, with the statistics proving it.

Since losing 1-0 to Bayern on November 26, PSG are unbeaten in 22 games in all competitions.

They have won their last five Champions League matches, scoring 21 goals in that period, including 10 in the second leg against Brest in the play-off round.

The 4-1 home win over Lille last Saturday was their 10th in a row in all competitions and allowed them to maintain their unbeaten domestic record this season.

“We are in great form, all systems are working,” said captain Marquinhos, who has been at the club since 2013.

“We really rely on the collective. It takes a long time. We are progressing step by step. But there are still things we need to improve.”

Ousmane Dembele is now the leader of PSG’s attack, transforming from a dazzling winger but without a good finish, to one of the most clinical strikers.

He has scored 26 goals this season, including 21 in 16 appearances since mid-December while playing mainly through central midfield.

“The team is doing well at the moment,” said Enrique, but he was concerned about Liverpool’s challenge, perhaps the toughest PSG has faced in recent months.

“We will play against the best team in Europe, who are impressively qualified, but it is not in our minds to speculate, to try to protect ourselves, to act defensively,” insisted Enrique.

“We will attack and try to change the game our way.”

Mbappe Fit For Real Betis Game

MADRID: Kylian Mbappe is fit to start at Real Betis this weekend after being rested in Real Madrid’s recent Copa del Rey match due to dental surgery, manager Carlo Ancelotti said.

The French striker was rested as Real Madrid recorded a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final yesterday.

“But then he was in good shape, he was ready to play, with high spirits.”

Defending La Liga champions Madrid trail leaders Barcelona on goal difference in the title race while Atletico Madrid are just one point behind in third place.

They are scheduled to face a difficult trip to Betis this Sunday before hosting Atletico for the first leg of the last 16 of the Champions League next week.

Mbappe has been in fine form in recent months – scoring 14 goals in 12 appearances across all competitions.

Haaland Send Man City To Fourth Place

LONDON: Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has become the second player to score at least 20 goals in each of his first three Premier League campaigns.

The reigning champions beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 and moved back up to fourth in the league.

Haaland, who returned to action after missing Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool due to a knee injury, finished off Jeremy Doku’s pass in the 12th minute.

The Norwegian had a chance to add to the tally but Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario did a brilliant job denying several of his attempts as well as those from Doku and Savinho.

Haaland’s stoppage-time goal was also ruled out for offside. Tottenham came close to equalising after that, but Pape Matar Sarr’s header went over the bar.

City managed to avoid a third defeat at the hands of Tottenham this season and jumped to fourth place with 47 points after 27 matches.

Haaland has now scored 83 Premier League goals in 92 games for Manchester City.

“Of course it’s not good to be injured and not be able to play, but it’s about looking ahead and staying positive. We can only do things for now and the future, today it’s about winning.

“I try to stay in the box and if someone wants to pass the ball to me, I’ll try to put it in the net,” Haaland said.

Another player to score 20 goals or more in his first three Premier League seasons was Ruud van Nistelrooy for Manchester United from the 2001 to 2004 seasons.

Bukayo Saka Will Be Sidelined For Another Eight Weeks

LONDON: Bukayo Saka will be sidelined for another eight weeks, further worsening the injury crisis Arsenal are currently facing.

After the team confirmed they were out of Kai Havertz until the end of the season following a hamstring injury that required surgery, Saka is only expected to return in mid-April.

Although Saka appears to be undergoing a recovery process, Mikel Arteta does not want to take any risks until the player is completely fit.

Arsenal currently only have Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and teenage player Ethan Nwaneri in attack.

Arteta’s refusal to force Saka back will see the player sidelined for a total of four months.

Arsenal previously confirmed that Havertz will need surgery after suffering an injury during a training session in Dubai last week.

Arteta, who has already lost Gabriel Jesus, will also be without Gabriel Martinelli, who will be sidelined for a month.

Guardiola Could Not Explain Loss To Real Madrid

MANCHESTER, England: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola could not explain another late slump as his team lost 3-2 at home to Real Madrid in the Champions League play-offs early this morning.

Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham scored late goals to erase City’s 2-1 lead, Bellingham scoring the winner in the 92nd minute at the Etihad Stadium as the mood turned from joyous to frustrated.

“We arrived at the last minute with a result and we couldn’t keep it,” Guardiola told a news conference.

“After 2-1, many games it happened, against Feyenoord in the Champions League (City led 3-0 in the 74th minute but were forced to draw 3-3), against Brentford in the Premier League, against Manchester United, many games we ended up conceding,” he said.

“Unfortunately it’s happened too often, it’s difficult.”

Erling Haaland’s two goals, including an 80th-minute penalty, saw City eye victory over the reigning champions and La Liga leaders but a clear lead means nothing to Guardiola’s side this season, who sit fifth in the Premier League.

They conceded seven goals in the last 15 minutes of Champions League action this season.

However, Guardiola said the responsibility “belongs to everyone, not just the players.”

“I have no problem accepting it. To blame a particular player, it’s ridiculous. It’s all of us, me first. Of course the players too,” he said.

“They wanted it, how they ran, how they did it, but the fact is we weren’t stable enough in that crucial moment.”