PSG SCRUTINISED FOR DONNARUMMA HANDLING AS CHEVALIER FALTERS
PSG and Luis Enrique face fierce criticism for selling Gianluigi Donnarumma to Man City. His replacement, Lucas Chevalier, is underperforming, conceding over twice as many goals as the Italian keeper this season.
PSG Faces Backlash for Donnarumma Decision Following Chevalier Flop - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Paris Saint-Germain and head coach Luis Enrique have come under fire from the French press for their decision to fire Italy custodian Gianluigi Donnarumma during the summer, since Lucas Chevalier, his successor, has fallen short of expectations.
After Donnarumma's sale, PSG and Enrique came under fire.
After spending four years in Paris, Donnarumma played a key role in the team that ended the 2024–25 season with the club's first-ever Champions League title.
In the summer, he entered the last year of his contract with PSG. Since there was no agreement to extend it, the club let him leave for Manchester City for a discounted price of €27 million and instead hired Chevalier, who came in at a total cost of €55 million.
Even though City had already acquired a new custodian in James Trafford earlier in the summer transfer window, Donnarumma has already blended in perfectly with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City team.
Even though PSG is leading the Champions League standings after the first three games of the season, their fans are not as happy with their current first-choice in goal.
PSG's decision to sell Donnarumma to make room for Chevalier has also drawn criticism from the French press; both L'Equipe and Le Parisien denounced the club's move over the summer.
According to one report, PSG would not have won the Champions League last season if it were not for Donnarumma, who is presently regarded as the best custodian in the world.
Luis Enrique has also come under fire on an individual basis. According to French media, he 'endorsed' the signing of Chevalier for the majority of the 2024–25 season and essentially forced Donnarumma out of the PSG team, leaving him off the team's Super Cup roster before he left to join Man City.
Right now, at the club level, Chevalier is giving up more than twice as many goals as Donnarumma. The Frenchman has surrendered 13 from 12 competitive appearances this term, whereas the Italian has only let in four across his opening eight club fixtures of the season.
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.