GONçALO RAMOS FIRES PSG TO NARROW 1-0 WIN OVER NICE
Gonçalo Ramos scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as PSG beat Nice 1-0. The substitute's header secured a crucial three points for the Ligue 1 leaders, saving them from a fourth draw in five games.
Ramos Clinches Vital 1-0 Victory - COURTESY/PHOTO
Ligue 1 champion Paris Saint-Germain narrowly defeated Nice 1-0 at home on Saturday, with substitute Gonçalo Ramos scoring from a corner in the last seconds of stoppage time.
In the last moments of the game, Ramos nodded in from close range, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia headed in a right-wing corner to save PSG from suffering their fourth straight draw.
In anticipation of Tuesday's Champions League matchup against Bayern Munich, coach Luis Enrique started with Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé on the bench in place of injured forward Désiré Doué.
Despite dominating play, PSG found it difficult to generate chances against a well-organised Nice team in the first half. Halfway through the second half, Nice goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf made a great save on a strong shot from midfielder Vitinha.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Diouf knocked over Ramos' point-blank header after he struck the post in the 80th minute.
However, Diouf's defence failed him on the next corner, and Ramos, who frequently plays as an impact substitute, scored his 38th goal to honour his 100th PSG appearance.
According to Luis Enrique, "He is a very essential player for us since he is ready in every game, whether he starts or not." "Gonçalo on the pitch for five minutes is five minutes of quality."
PSG maintained their two-point lead over Marseille, who defeated struggling Auxerre 1-0 to move above Monaco and into second place. Monaco lost to Paris FC 1-0 at home, dropping them four points behind PSG.
ENZO MARESCA LAVISHES PRAISE ON REECE JAMES FOLLOWING STELLAR MIDFIELD SHOWING
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca praised captain Reece James after his dominant midfield display in the 1-0 derby win over Tottenham. James provided crucial physicality alongside Moises Caicedo.
Manager Maresca Applauds Reece James - Photo Credit: Getty Images
After playing a crucial part in our derby triumph away at Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea captain Reece James was showered with praise from Enzo Maresca.
Throughout Maresca's tenure as Blues head coach, our captain has switched between his established position at right-back and a new midfield one. On Saturday, he played in the latter at Tottenham.
With yet another outstanding display, Moises Caicedo stole the show and set up Joao Pedro to score the game's lone goal after winning possession. But perhaps even more crucial to the win was his midfield partner for the day.
Our head coach noted that James' presence there was considered vital since Caicedo and James controlled the centre of the field, even though Spurs tried to crowd out the midfield by giving them a numerical advantage there with their team selection.
It somewhat relies on the strategy. Maresca said, "I believe we needed a little bit more physicality in the centre yesterday."
It was anticipated that they would play alongside [Pape Mater] Sarr, [Rodrigo] Bentancur, and [Joao] Palhinha. They had four midfielders, which surprised us because [Lucas] Bergvall also played.
"There should have been a little more physicality in the middle, but it really relies on the strategy."
James did not appear out of place in our midfield once more. Maresca is now in the fortunate position of knowing that he can count on his captain to give his best effort as a midfielder, defender, and—possibly most importantly—a leader.
Enzo continued, "I think Reece is doing wonderful when he is playing as a midfielder, he is doing fantastic when he is playing full-back, and as far as leadership with the players inside the changing room goes."
REAL MADRID STAR ÁLVARO CARRERAS CELEBRATES EMOTIONAL FIRST CAREER GOAL
Real Madrid crushes Valencia 4-0 with Álvaro Carreras scoring a stunning first goal for the club. The victory extends their La Liga lead to seven points under manager Xabi Alonso.
Álvaro Carreras scored his first goal for Real Madrid - IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Real Madrid easily defeated Valencia in another La Liga victory under Xabi Alonso. Kylian Mbappe scored two goals in the league leaders' 4-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The third and fourth goals were the two best of the match. Jude Bellingham started the first half with a strong drive from the area's boundary. But the Englishman's goal was overtaken by left-back Álvaro Carreras, who hit a fantastic shot from a sharp angle into the top corner.
After joining the team this past summer from Benfica, it was the Spaniard's first goal. Carreras discussed the strike after the game, suggesting it might be the first of many to come.
Proud of His First Goal in a Real Madrid Shirt, Álvaro Carreras
The 22-year-old has been playing at his peak lately and was one of four players that Xabi Alonso brought in this summer. Although ecstatic about his goal, Carreras never felt pressured to score since he knew that his main responsibilities were elsewhere.
It concluded Real Madrid's outstanding performance, in which they dominated a weak Valencia team from beginning to end. With a victory over Elche, rivals Barcelona may reduce their lead to five points. The victory increased their lead at the top to seven points over Villarreal and eight over Barcelona.
Carreras would have been pleased with another clean sheet for himself and his Los Blancos defence, so the goal was a bonus. They now lead the league with five in 11 games. At the end of the season, he and his defenders will be evaluated based on that.
This defence will be put to the test once more when they play Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League. Even though the Premier League winners are not playing at their best, Carreras and his players will have to contend with the intense atmosphere on the pitch.