Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique was full of praise for his former rival Diego Simeone as he prepares to go head-to-head with the Atletico Madrid boss in the Champions League.
PSG and Atletico, who reached the semi-finals and the quarter-finals respectively last season, will face off on Wednesday having both won just one of their three league-phase games.
A home victory would boost PSG, currently 19th with four points, while Atletico, languishing in 27th on three, are aiming to recover from back-to-back losses.
PSG have never faced Atletico in the Champions League before but Luis Enrique's Barcelona defeated Simeone's Atletico side nine times in their 14 meetings between 2014 and 2017, drawing twice and losing three times.
Luis Enrique led Barca to a Champions League and LaLiga double in 2014-15 followed by another league title the following year.
"We've played against each other as players and then as managers. I admire Simeone, when a coach can stay for so many years at a top club it means he is great because that is such a difficult thing to do," Luis Enrique told reporters on Tuesday.
Simeone has managed Atletico for 13 years, guiding them to two LaLiga titles and two Europa League crowns, though the Madrid side had considered hiring Luis Enrique prior to Simeone's arrival.
"I had given my word to another club. If I had gone to Atleti, I would not have stayed half as long as Simeone because I don't have the energy as him," added Luis Enrique.
"They are lucky to have found Simeone as a coach. You need a lot of energy, to be able to convince all your players over the long-term."
PSG, having lost Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid in the close season, have just two goals in their three Champions League games, beating Girona 1-0 but drawing 1-1 with PSV and losing 2-0 at Arsenal.
"I have no doubt we can improve in defence and attack, whether it is with the defender duos of Marquinhos and Willian Pacho, or Milan Skriniar and Lucas Beraldo, or in the midfield," Luis Enrique said.
"I understand you want to discuss individual players, but we analyse things from a broader perspective.
"What interests me is to always generate goalscoring opportunities and to arrive in the penalty area because you have managed to be stronger than your opponent.
"That is my objective as a coach: to always generate opportunities."
Close-season signing Matvey Safonov, who kept a clean sheet in their opening win against Girona, might replace number one goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose mistakes proved costly at Arsenal and against PSV.
"You will find out tomorrow. After a good cup of cappuccino, I will decide who the goalkeeper is," Luis Enrique said.
Leverkusen's Schick to miss St. Pauli clash, confirms Alonso
Patrik Schick will miss Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga encounter with St. Pauli due to injury, Xabi Alonso confirmed on Friday.
Schick was forced off during Leverkusen's 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal in midweek, despite only being introduced at half-time for Robert Andrich.
The Czech has been in impressive form in the absence of Victor Boniface, netting five goals in his last three league appearances, including a hat-trick against Heidenheim.
His goal against Union Berlin last time out saw him net his 48th Bundesliga goal on his 100th appearance in the competition, equalling Ulf Kirsten's club record.
"Patrik won't be there tomorrow, everyone else is fit," Alonso said.
Alonso will also be without Amine Adli, Jonas Hofmann and Boniface, who are all long-term absentees, for Saturday's encounter at the BayArena.
Leverkusen enter the weekend in third, seven points behind leaders Bayern, but will be confident of closing the gap to Vincent Kompany's side against St. Pauli.
They are unbeaten in their last 10 competitive home games against Saturday's opponents (W6 D4), only losing at home to them in professional football in their very first clash (3-2 defeat in March 1976).
Leverkusen have also lost only one of their last 20 Bundesliga fixtures against promoted sides (W15 D4), last losing to Arminia Bielefeld in March 2021.
Since then, the Werkself are on a 13-game unbeaten run in such fixtures (W10, D3 – only RB Leipzig’s 33-game streak is longer), an ongoing club record in the top flight.
Despite recent results being in Leverkusen's favour, Alonso was expecting a tough test for his side on home soil.
"After the DFB-Pokal, we're back in Bundesliga mode," Alonso said. "After the win in Berlin, we want to take the next step. We're expecting a strong opponent.
"We still have four games until the end of the year. The two wins against Heidenheim and Union have done us good.
"We have a good feeling and are more efficient than before. We want to build on that and keep going."
Reggae Girl Kiki Van Zanten signs two-year extension with Houston Dash
Reggae Girl Kiki Van Zanten has signed a two-year contract extension with the Houston Dash, the club announced on Friday. The new deal will keep the 23-year-old midfielder with the NWSL side through the 2026 season, with a mutual option for 2027.
Van Zanten’s rookie season was cut short after just four appearances (one start) due to a season-ending foot injury in April. Despite the setback, the Dash remain confident in her potential and versatility.
"Kiki's resilience has stood out as she navigated her return from injury, and we are excited about what she can bring to the team next season," said interim general manager Erik Ustruck. "Her versatility is invaluable as we mold a new identity for the club, and players like Kiki will play a key role in building on the foundation we are establishing."
Drafted with the 21st overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, Van Zanten brought an impressive collegiate resume from Notre Dame, where she tallied 27 goals and nine assists in 95 matches between 2019 and 2023.
Internationally, the Illinois-born midfielder represents Jamaica, earning one goal in nine appearances for the Reggae Girlz, further showcasing her talent on the global stage.
The Dash are optimistic about Van Zanten's ability to make an impact upon her return in 2025, as they continue to shape their squad for the future. Her signing reflects the club’s commitment to fostering young talent and building a competitive roster.
With her blend of technical ability, international experience, and determination to overcome adversity, Van Zanten is set to play a pivotal role for both Houston and Jamaica in the coming years.
Inter 3-1 Parma: Mkhitaryan stars as hosts extend unbeaten run
Inter moved to within a point of Serie A leaders Napoli after easing to a 3-1 win over Parma at the San Siro, extending their unbeaten run to 13 matches in all competitions.
Simone Inzaghi's side moved up to 31 points after 14 games of their season, but Napoli could restore their four-point cushion over Inter with victory over Lazio on Sunday.
Inter were awarded a penalty with eight minutes on the clock after Mandela Keita clipped the heels of Lautaro Martinez, but after a VAR review, it was changed to a free-kick.
But the hosts found themselves in front five minutes before the break when Federico Dimarco sensationally took the ball on his back foot before firing past Zion Suzuki.
Inter doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute through Nicolo Barella, who picked up Henrikh Mkhitaryan's through ball before sitting down Emanuele Valeri, staying composed to roll the ball confidently home.
The victory was sealed just after the hour-mark when Yann Bisseck flicked Hakan Calhanoglu's corner to Thuram, who volleyed home his 10th league goal of the season.
Parma did, however, net a late consolation when Matteo Darmian tussled with Dennis Man following Hernani's ball forward, only for the former Manchester United defender to inadvertently bundle the ball beyond Yann Sommer.
Data Debrief: Mkhitaryan masterclass
Inter have now scored at least three goals in a Serie A match for the seventh time this season, with only Paris Saint-Germain (nine), Bayern Munich and Barcelona (both eight) scoring three or more goals more often than the Nerazzurri.
But their victory was inspired by the brilliance of Mkhitaryan, with the Armenian notching the assists for Dimarco and Barella on Friday.
Since his arrival at Inter in 2022, only Charles De Ketelaere and Luis Alberto (both 14) have registered more assists than Mkhitaryan (12), while he also created more chances (four) than any other player on the pitch during the game.
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