PSG ENJOY SELECTION BOOST AS OUSMANE DEMBéLé’S COMEBACK ADDS VERSATILITY
Ousmane Dembélé and captain Marquinhos return from injury for PSG's Champions League clash at Bayer Leverkusen. The boost comes as the reigning champions look to maintain their perfect UCL start.
Ousmane Dembele's stellar year as him in contention to win the Ballon d'Or
After missing over six weeks due to a hamstring injury, Ousmane Dembélé has been added to the Paris Saint-Germain team that will travel to Bayer Leverkusen for their Champions League match on Tuesday.
Marquinhos, the captain of PSG, also returns after missing several weeks of play due to a problem with his left thigh.
While playing for France in a 2-0 victory over Ukraine in World Cup qualification on September 5, Dembélé sustained the injury.
Luis Enrique, coach of the reigning Champions League champion, responded to a question regarding Dembele's inclusion by saying he was happy to see additional possibilities rejoin his squad.
"You are really focused on the Ballon d'Or," he added, adding that Ousmane Dembele is the same player and person. He is not like the others. Along with Marquinhos and Désiré Doué, who returned last week, we are thrilled to have him back in the team.
Therefore, having players return is crucial for both the team and the players because it provides us more choices. Since it is about how the players feel today and we will see how it goes tomorrow, nothing changes.
Luis Enrique remarked of Leverkusen's future: "They have quality, can play with a press, and can defend deep."
"We must carefully control the game, but we are accustomed to it because we deal with a variety of football-related issues.
Thus, we are at ease and prepared. Today is the last practice to assess the players' performance before tomorrow's game.
The tournament's league phase has seen defending champion PSG win their first two games, but they drew 3-3 with Strasbourg over the weekend, putting them in the odd position of trailing Marseille in the Ligue 1 standings.
After eight games, PSG is one point behind Roberto De Zerbi's team in France's premier division with five wins, two draws, and one loss.
Before the match against PSG, Leverkusen manager Kasper Hjulmand urged his team to have "belief" in their performance.
Leverkusen has a difficult start to their Champions League campaign, sitting in the elimination spots with just two points following consecutive draws.
They enter Tuesday's game fresh off a spirited 4-3 Bundesliga victory over Mainz, and their most recent tournament play finished in a 1-1 draw with PSV.
DISCIPLINARY BLOW: MADRID PLAYER SUSPENDED POST EL CLáSICO TUSSLE
Real Madrid's backup keeper Andriy Lunin has been handed a one-game suspension by the RFEF for his aggressive conduct on the bench during the heated final moments of El Clásico. Real Madrid's appeal was rejected.
El Clásico Scuffle - Photo Credit Getty Images
Los Blancos' goalie Andriy Lunin has been suspended for one game by the RFEF Disciplinary Committee for his involvement in the sideline dramas during the El Clásico's final moments. Although the cameras did not catch it, referee Soto Grado did record that he had sent the Ukrainian off.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the RFEF responded as follows when asked why Lunin received a red card.
The reason for Lunin, Andrii's expulsion in the 90th minute was that he had to be restrained by his teammates after he walked aggressively from his bench to the blonde bench.
The disciplinary committee of the RFEF
"When considered significant, those whose behaviour violates sporting order will be suspended for four to ten games or fined between 602 and 3,006 euros."
Because of Lunin's actions, which constituted a minor violation of the sporting order, he was suspended for one game. The ruling had been challenged by Real Madrid. However, the RFEF stayed steadfast, defending the referee's ruling and the evidence in the match report and on film.
Now, the backup goalie will not play against Valencia this weekend, where he is probably going to be benched. Fran Gonzalez and Sunico, both from the youth team, might be called up as the matchday squad's third choice, with Sergio Mestre serving as a backup.
No Barcelona players or any other Real Madrid players were slapped with bans following the two flash moments in the closing stages of the game. When Vinicius Jr. and Lamie Yamal argued, even players who were not on the team were spotted shoving on the side of the field. The RFEF, however, determined that nothing that came to pass would justify further prohibitions.
ARSENAL STAR DROPS CONFIDENT TITLE HINT AFTER STRONG OPENING
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is targeting a historic Premier League and World Cup double with England this season. The winger believes it's a "doable" feat as the Gunners lead the title race.
Bukayo Saka - (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC)
According to Bukayo Saka, it is feasible for Arsenal and England to win both games this season. The season has started well for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta's leadership.
Arsenal leads the Premier League standings by four points at the moment and is starting to look like a title contender. Manchester City is only one point ahead of defending champions Liverpool, who are seven points behind.
Saka, however, is not only interested in winning at his club; he also hopes to succeed internationally. Manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that winning the trophy is his ambition for England, who have qualified for the World Cup in the USA next year.
Saka is optimistic about his club's and his nation's chances of winning. "Yeah, that is my prayer," he remarked in an interview with Sky Sports. It is possible, of course.