Marco Verratti was not surprised to see Leandro Paredes and Sergio Ramos square off in Paris Saint-Germain's clash with Juventus as "both players care so much".
Paredes was back at the Parc des Princes for Tuesday's Champions League group match, just six days after joining Juve from PSG on an initial loan basis.
The Argentina international was involved in a flashpoint during the first half of his new side's 2-1 loss when he got involved in a row with former team-mate Ramos.
As Paredes walked towards Ramos, the latter appeared to push away the midfielder by the throat, which the referee deemed worthy of a yellow card.
And speaking after the match, Verratti joked it was an incident that was always likely to happen between two passionate players.
"I'm good friends with [Paredes]. The odds on that happening were pretty good as I'd seen them go at it in training," he told Sky Sport Italia.
"I'd have bet my house on that happening. Both players care so much and put a lot of character into every challenge, but they always have a hug at the end."
Paredes managed 102 touches against his parent club – more than any other Juve player on their Champions League debut since Opta started recording such data in 2003-04.
Juve put up a strong second-half fight in Paris after Kylian Mbappe fired PSG into a commanding two-goal lead, though Weston McKennie's effort proved to be a consolation.
The Parisians have now won five successive home games in the Champions League for the first time since between November 2013 and November 2014 (a run of six wins).
"We were up against a strong opponent in Juve and knew we'd suffer to get the three points," Verratti said. "After a good first half we struggled a bit in the second.
"Juve relaxed a bit after their goal and started to believe. They are a great team but we worked together to bring home the result."
Mbappe's double took him on to 29 goals in the competition for PSG, one shy of Edinson Cavani's club record.
Lionel Messi and Neymar also performed well in attack, and Verratti praised head coach Christophe Galtier for getting the trio working as one.
"The coach is very intelligent. This is quite a tough team to coach," he said.
"But he made it clear to everyone that there is only one objective, which is to win, play together, enjoy our football and make it a team sport.
"To have a great season we need everyone, whether we have the ball or not, whether they are on the bench or on the field.
"Telling Messi what position to hold and where to pass is tricky, but he gave a sense of organisation and responsibility to everyone.
"There are moments, as we saw today, where we all need to defend together. You can be as talented as you like, but it is all easier if we all work together."
Chelsea defender Maren Mjelde signs one-year contract extension
Chelsea defender Maren Mjelde has signed a one-year contract extension that ties her to the Women’s Super League champions until the end of next season.
The Norway international joined the club from Avaldsnes in her home country in 2016 and has helped Emma Hayes’ side to five WSL titles in that time.
She scored a memorable last-ditch penalty with the final kick of extra-time to rescue Chelsea from elimination in their Champions League quarter-final against Lyon in April.
The 33-year-old told the club website: “I feel really happy, Chelsea is my club and it has been for six-and-a-half years.
“I’m happy to stay here, it’s been my home for a long time and I’m really excited for next season.”
Chelsea Women general manager Paul Green added: “We’re delighted that Maren has committed to the club for another season.
“She is one of our leaders both on and off the pitch. Her experience and quality within the group is really important.
“She’s been a big part of our success over the years and we’re looking forward to seeing her again next season.”
Chelsea wrapped up their fourth-consecutive Super League title with a 3-0 victory against Reading in May, completing the double, having already lifted the FA Cup by beating Manchester United at Wembley.
Karim Benzema calls time on glittering 14-year Real Madrid career
Real Madrid’s most decorated player Karim Benzema is to leave the club after 14 years.
France striker Benzema, 35, won 25 trophies during his time in Madrid and scored 353 goals in 647 appearances to become Real’s second all-time top scorer after Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Real Madrid and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to end his brilliant and unforgettable period as a player for our club,” read a club statement from the Spanish giants.
“Real Madrid would like to show its gratitude and affection to a player who is already one of our greatest legends.
“Karim Benzema’s career at Real Madrid has been a shining example of conduct and professionalism, and he has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future.
“Madridistas and all the fans around the world have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which has made him one of the great icons of our club and one of the great legends of world football.
“Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and we wish him and all his family the best in this new stage of his life.”
Benzema, the current Ballon d’Or and UEFA Player of the Year, joined Real from Lyon in July 2009 for a reported transfer fee of 35 million euros.
He is fifth on the list of players with the most Real appearances and his trophy haul in Spain includes five Champions Leagues, five Club World Cups, four European Super Cups, four LaLiga titles, three Copas del Rey and four Spanish Super Cups.
Benzema has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.
Real have confirmed they will hold “an institutional act of tribute and farewell” to Benzema in the Spanish capital on Tuesday in the presence of club president Florentino Perez.
You can tell everybody we have won the FA Cup – Man City players meet Elton John
Manchester City were greeted by singer Elton John as they touched down at Manchester Airport on their return from winning the FA Cup at Wembley.
The club posted videos of the squad posing for pictures with the 76-year-old on the tarmac as they disembarked from their plane late on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola said in advance of the final, which City won 2-1 against Manchester United to secure the second leg of a possible treble, that he had attended John’s concert in the city last week as he sought to take his mind off a defining period in the club’s history.
The club’s Twitter feed headed one of the videos “you can tell everybody we have won the FA Cup”, a reference to a line from the 1971 hit Your Song.
City were victorious at Wembley thanks to a goal in either half from Ilkay Gundogan – his first the fastest in FA Cup final history – as they added the trophy to the Premier League title they won in May.
They face Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul on Saturday seeking to become only the second English club after Manchester United to have won all three major trophies in a single season.
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