Bradley Barcola is confident he can make a difference for Paris Saint-Germain this season in the absence of Kylian Mbappe after his brace against Montpellier.
Barcola, who has three goals in two appearances already this season, starred for Luis Enrique's side during their 6-0 win in first home game of the new campaign.
The 21-year-old opened the scoring at the Parc des Princes with a brilliantly taken finish from the left-hand side before completing his maiden brace of his career with a simple finish in the second half.
Barcola registered the most shots (four) and touches in the opposition box (seven), while also contributing 1.17 expected goals (xG) to PSG's 3.9 total.
He has now been involved in eight goals (five goals and three assists) in his last seven top-flight appearances for the club, and he is sure that this is his year to take centre stage.
"I had a lot of fun, I felt free. The coach asked everyone to press together. You have to make a lot of effort, but you get used to it as you go along," Barcola said.
"I've realised that I can make a difference. Pushing the ball like that on the first goal is something I've been doing since I was very young."
PSG have now scored 10 goals in their opening two games of the league season, equalling their highest tally after two games played (10 also in 2022-23), all without last year's leading marksman Mbappe.
Enrique's side managed 27 shots in their encounter with Montpellier, 11 of which were on target, something the Spaniard felt was coming after witnessing their ruthless streak in training.
"I'm very happy because it's our first home game. We wanted to give the fans some joy. It was a perfect evening," Enrique said.
"I felt it in training, the intensity of the pressing increased. We scored six goals but we could have scored 10. Today was our night... the players were incredible. It's a great feeling."
PSG continue their league campaign at the Stade Pierre Mauroy next week when they face Lille, who face Angers in their second game of the season on Saturday.
Fonseca disappointed in Milan's lack of defensive responsibility
Paulo Fonseca was left disappointed with Milan's lack of defensive responsibility in their shock 2-1 defeat to newly promoted Parma on Saturday.
Milan were stunned inside 83 seconds when Dennis Man gave the hosts a shock lead, only for Christian Pulisic to restore parity just after the hour-mark.
However, substitute Matteo Cancellieri struck in the closing exchanges to secure their first triumph over Milan in Serie A since 4-2 win back in March 2014.
It marked an early bump in Fonseca's tenure with the Rossoneri, acknowledging that his side must improve at the back to succeed this season.
"I'm disappointed. It's difficult to explain our defensive attitude. It's clear that we have a defensive problem," Fonseca told a press conference.
"For Parma it was too easy when they attacked. I'm not just talking to the defenders, I'm talking about the whole team, how they defend collectively and individually.
"I take responsibility for what the team does, but we have to recognise these defensive problems."
Milan created the better chances during the contest at Stadio Ennio Tardini, but only five of their 17 shots were on target, the same number as Parma managed from eight fewer attempts.
The visitors also underperformed their expected goals (xG) by 1.01, missing three big chances while also striking the woodwork in the encounter.
Of the 90 duels between the two sides, Parma had a success rate of 54.4% compared to Milan's 45.6%, with Fonseca left bemused by his sides underwhelming display.
"The team works well during the week, I think I see improvement in view of the match. Then today we arrive here and in the first situation we concede a goal," Fonseca added.
"We behaved badly defensively in all moments of the match. (There's) a problem to solve, of attitude. We need to work as a team.
"We lose the ball too easily. This allows a team that defends deep to create chances. We have made mistakes in preventive marking, defensive recoveries that we do not do together."
Flick lauds ultimate professional Lewandowski after recent Barca form
Hansi Flick labelled Robert Lewandowski the ultimate professional after his second-half winner earned Barcelona a 2-1 triumph over Athletic Bilbao.
Lewandowski, who spent two seasons under Flick at Bayern Munich, notched his third goal of the new LaLiga season after Oihan Sancet cancelled out Lamine Yamal's deflected opener.
The Pole netted 83 goals in 71 matches in all competitions between 2019 and 2021, winning eight major titles during Flick's time in charge, which included the Champions League.
And despite turning 36 three days ago, Flick is confident that his star striker can help Barca reclaim their league crown from rivals Real Madrid.
"I know Robert (Lewandowski) really well and I don't think he has returned to form because that's how I have always seen him as a player," Flick told DAZN.
"I'm happy with him because it's not only the goals he scores, it's his collective effort, the way he dedicates himself to pressing high and very effectively.
"Physically, he is 100%. He is a total professional, who takes fitness very seriously.
"He knows how to handle pressure and we saw that after the equaliser in the second half. He is a great player."
While Lewandowski received many plaudits for his goal-scoring exploits, Flick was also quick to praise Raphinha for his dynamic display in attacking midfield.
The Brazilian registered the most touches in the opposition box (nine), with his 19 passes into the final third a total only bettered by Pedri (21).
He also won more duels (nine) than any other Barcelona player, with Flick believing his versatility will be a huge asset as the season progresses.
"Rafa can play in any attacking position. He can play as a 10, or he can change positions, he is phenomenal in pressing," Flick said.
"We needed someone like him as we are still missing some players."
Barcelona will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the league season when they travel to Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday before returning to the Nou Camp to take on Real Valladolid next weekend.
Inter 2-0 Lecce: Darmian and Calhanoglu get Nerazzurri back on track
Matteo Darmian and Hakan Calhanoglu scored either side of half-time to ensure Inter's Serie A title defence got back on track with a 2-0 victory over Lecce.
Inter, who started their campaign with a draw against Genoa on the opening day, marked their final season at the San Siro in style to move top of the early-season standings.
Darmian opened the scoring for Simone Inzaghi's side in the fifth minute, being the first to react to Mehdi Taremi's effort to head beyond Wladimiro Falcone.
Despite dominating proceedings, the hosts had to wait until the 69th minute to double their advantage on home soil.
Inter were awarded a penalty after Kialonda Gaspar fouled Marcus Thuram in the area, with Calhanoglu making no mistake to maintain his perfect record from 12 yards.
The defending champions continue their quest to retain their crown next weekend against Atalanta, who face Torino on Sunday.
Data Debrief: Inter respond to opening day disappointment
After an underwhelming display in their opening game, Inter produced a performance similar to the ones they showcased during their 20th Serie A success.
Calhanoglu's penalty was his 17th successful spot-kick for the club, with no player having recorded a longer streak of penalties converted in a row in Italy's top flight since the data has been available (since 2005/06 - followed at 16 by Giampaolo Pazzini, between 2012 and 2020).
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