Said Benrahma’s loan move from West Ham to Lyon has gone through after the Ligue 1 side appealed to FIFA over the possible collapse of the deal.

The Algeria international underwent a medial on Thursday but the switch appeared to have been called off by West Ham, with Lyon describing the club’s behaviour as “incomprehensible” and lacking respect.

The French side maintained that they had filed the relevant information in time for the deal to be ratified, and called on the world governing body to intervene.

The Hammers confirmed on Friday afternoon that Benrahma’s loan move for the rest of the season with an option to buy had indeed gone through.

The PA news agency understands the club rejects Lyon’s accusations that West Ham acted improperly, which it believes are unfounded and potentially damaging.

Pablo Fornals has also left the club to join Real Betis after the LaLiga side joined Lyon’s appeal to FIFA over why a deal that appeared to have been completed was on the brink of collapse.

A move had looked set to go through on Thursday but Betis claimed “a computer problem” prevented the transfer from being completed.

Betis CEO Ramon Alarcon told Spanish reporters: “There was a last-minute problem with Fornals, we think it was a computer problem.

“Betis sent all the documents correctly and on time and it seems West Ham had a computer problem.”

It brings to an end four-and-a half year stay for the Spain international at the London Stadium.

He made 203 appearances after joining from Villarreal in 2019, including 151 in the Premier League, scoring 23 goals.

His most famous strike for the club was the one that secured a first-leg victory against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League semi-final last season, en route to the team winning their first European trophy in almost 60 years.

Benrahma leaves having made 146 appearances for the club after arriving from Brentford in 2020, 105 of which were in the Premier League.

Both players had slipped down the pecking order in David Moyes’ squad this season.

Speaking after the team’s 1-1 draw at home to Bournemouth on Thursday night, Moyes said of Lyon’s comments: “(Lack of respect) is a big word to use before we get a chance to show exactly what happened or didn’t happen.

“It’s something we’ve never had to deal with before and I’m an experienced manager.”

Ousmane Dembele will miss Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain’s trip to Strasbourg on Friday.

The former Barcelona winger missed training on Thursday with a thigh problem and the club have since announced he will be not be risked at the Stade de la Meinau.

Luis Enrique’s team, who have a six-point lead at the top of the table, will also be without the suspended Bradley Barcola.

The forward received a one-match ban after being sent off for two bookable offences in stoppage time of last week’s 2-2 draw with Brest.

PSG had led 2-0 in that match but surrendered their advantage, raising question marks over their resilience.

Manager Luis Enrique, however, has dismissed concerns about a lack of stamina.

“After watching the match against Brest again, I don’t think we had an athletic problem,” the Spaniard told reporters at a press conference to preview the game at Strasbourg.

“I think they were very good opponents – that’s the reality. It’s true that we had difficulty pressing and recovering balls, but I don’t think it was a physical problem.”

After being held by Brest, who are third in the league, Enrique recognises PSG face a tough game against another side in good form.

Strasbourg, under the guidance of Patrick Vieira, are unbeaten in their last six matches.

“They’re a team in better momentum than at the start of the season,” said Enrique, the former Barcelona and Spain manager. “They have had good results recently and are in the middle of the table.

“They’re a team that creates but also defends very well, in an organised manner. We will have to be ready for everything in this match.”

The game comes too soon for Achraf Hakimi to rejoin the PSG squad following the end of Morocco’s campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations.

With the Champions League also due to resume later this month with the first leg of the last-16 tie against Real Sociedad, Enrique is aware the business end of the season is approaching.

He hopes his team can tighten their grip on the title race as pressures increase.

He said: “We have to win the next matches and get to the end of the season in the best possible way.

“For the moment, what is important is the match against Strasbourg, but now we are going to have to play matches every three or four days.

“We have to take these three points which are really important.”

Kylian Mbappe drew a blank for the first time in seven games as Paris St Germain squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Brest.

Goals from Marco Asensio and Randal Kolo Muani had given the home side a 2-0 half-time lead and put them seemingly on course to restore their eight-point cushion at the top of Ligue 1 following Nice’s victory over Metz on Saturday.

However, Luis Enrique’s side started the second half sluggishly and were deservedly punished when Mahdi Camara pulled one back on 55 minutes before substitute Mathias Pereira Lage equalised with a sublime flick.

PSG’s miserable evening was compounded in stoppage-time when the previously impressive Bradley Barcola was sent off for two bookable offences in quick succession.

Brest arrived at the Parc des Princes having won six of their last seven league games but it was PSG who started better, Vitinha flashing a shot high and wide in the fourth minute before Barcola set up Mbappe for a low shot which was saved by the legs of goalkeeper Marco Bizot.

At the other end, Jeremy Le Douaron headed narrowly wide from Kenny Lala’s cross, although Gianluigi Donnarumma probably had it covered at his right-hand post.

Chances remained at a premium until the deadlock was broken in the 38th minute, the influential Barcola playing a delightful chip into the path of Asensio, who struck a left-foot volley into the ground and just inside the far post.

Vitinha was inches away from doubling the lead with a curling shot from just inside the area after a one-two with Warren Zaire-Emery, but moments later it was 2-0 when Muani stabbed home from two yards after Asensio’s shot had been palmed away by Bizot.

Whatever Brest manager Eric Roy said at half-time had the desired effect and his side flew out of the blocks, Pierre Lees-Melou and Hugo Magnetti drawing saves from Donnarumma before Camara’s shot deflected off Danilo and into the net.

Lala then forced Donnarumma into another good stop at his near post before Martin Satriano picked out Pereira Lage in the area, the 27-year-old showing great determination to sprint across the box before cheekily flicking home the equaliser from close range.

Paris St Germain boss Luis Enrique has expressed his admiration for Sunday’s opponents Brest, saying it is “no coincidence” they are currently third in Ligue 1.

Having finished 14th last term, Eric Roy’s side have been a surprise package this term and take on the champions at the Parc des Princes having won six of their last seven league games.

The reverse meeting between the sides in October saw PSG edge it 3-2 thanks to a late Kylian Mbappe winner.

Enrique told a press conference: “I think Brest will stick with their system, with a four-man defence. It will depend on us and how we manage the ball. They will play to win.

“Brest have an exceptional record, both home and away, and they concede very few goals. It’s no coincidence that they’re third in the table.

“They deserve it. Their statistics are impressive. Brest will play this game to win it.”

The Spaniard added: “My aim is to give our opponents as few options as possible. At the start of the match, we’re fresher.

“We have to be strong from the start, but scoring quickly isn’t necessarily an objective. If you do, that’s great, but it’s a process.

“The important thing is to have a high tempo from the start, to have possession of the ball, and for the opposition to lose it quickly.

“The opposition’s level can drop in the second half of a match. We often open the scoring, but it’s not a question of strategy whether you want to score from the start or not. You have to wear your opponent down right from the start.”

PSG go into the game five points clear of second-placed Nice, with Brest a further four points back, after Francesco Farioli’s men beat Metz 1-0 on Saturday.

Suffering their only defeat of the top-flight campaign to date back in September, the leaders are currently on a 13-match unbeaten run in the league.

Mbappe has 19 Ligue 1 goals to his name so far this term, and took his tally to 10 goals in his last six appearances in all competitions with a brace in last weekend’s 4-1 Coupe de France victory at Orleans.

Paris St Germain have signed Brazilian teenager Gabriel Moscardo from Corinthians for an initial £17million.

The 18-year-old midfielder has put pen to paper on deal which ties him to the French champions until 2028 but will return to Corinthians on loan for the remainder of this season.

Corinthians announced on their official website that PSG would pay an initial 20 million euros (£17m) for their home-grown player, with a possible extra two million euros in performance-related bonuses.

Moscardo, a Brazil Under-23 international, said on his new club’s website: “I’m very happy to be joining Paris St Germain; this is one of the best days of my life.

“It’s a project with some talented young players in it. I’m looking forward to joining up with the squad and to meeting the team and the coaching staff, and I hope to win many trophies with Les Rouge et Bleu and to make the fans happy.”

Kylian Mbappe helped Paris St Germain move eight points clear at the top of Ligue 1 following a 2-0 win at 10-man Lens.

Closest challengers Nice’s defeat at Rennes 24 hours earlier presented PSG with an opportunity to extend their advantage at the summit and the defending champions fully capitalised in northern France.

Mbappe teed up Bradley Barcola to open the scoring from an acute angle after half an hour before the provider turned goalscorer in the 89th minute with a low finish beyond Brice Samba following a PSG counter-attack.

Lens were left to rue Przemyslaw Frankowski having his early penalty saved while their efforts to get back into the contests were hampered when Jonathan Gradit was sent off just before half-time.

Ultimately, Mbappe’s 19th league goal of the season in just his 17th appearance wrapped up the points for PSG, who are unbeaten in all competitions since November 7.

PSG took amateurs Revel to task in the French Cup last weekend in a 9-0 rout but had not won at Lens’ Stade Bollaert-Delelis since 2014, losing twice during their last three visits and drawing the other.

They could have fallen behind after seven minutes as Danilo Pereira hauled down Elye Wahi in the box but Frankowski slammed his spot-kick straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma, who saved with his legs.

Donnarumma barely had to move as Frankowski went down the middle and PSG were given a major reprieve.

Donnarumma then saved well from Wahi’s effort before home defender Kevin Danso spurned a glorious chance when he directed a free header from a corner over the bar.

Lens’ failure to take their opportunities came back to haunt them as PSG broke the deadlock, with Mbappe putting through Barcola, who lofted over Samba from a narrow angle.

Matters worsened in first-half stoppage time for Lens as Barcola slalomed his way through the defence before being tripped up on the edge of the area by last man Gradit.

As Gradit had denied Barcola a goalscoring opportunity, an initial yellow card was upgraded to red and Lens would have to play the second half with a man down.

To their credit, the hosts refused to roll over and Neil El Aynaoui forced Donnarumma into action while the midfielder was then unable to get the ball under control when well-positioned to equalise.

Vitinha missed the target at the other end while Fabian Ruiz took one touch too many when he could have shot before attempting to feed through Mbappe and being impeded by Lens defenders.

Mbappe fizzed wide but started and finished a PSG break after Lens had left themselves short at the back in their efforts for a leveller.

PSG were presented with a three-on-three when Mbappe spread the ball to Ousmane Dembele on the right wing. Mbappe then exploited a yawning gap to collect a return ball and slot across Samba.

Paris St Germain boss Luis Enrique expects his Ligue 1 pacesetters to face a tough test at Lens’ Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday.

The capital club have not won at the venue since 2014, losing twice during their last three visits and drawing the other.

Lens have slipped to seventh after winning just one of their last three matches but Enrique is aware of their qualities.

The 53-year-old Spaniard told a press conference: “They have all the ingredients a top-level team could want.

“They are almost unbeatable at home, they play good football and they get good results – and they don’t give you time to think.

“Each game is a challenge. Regardless of the level of the opponent, there is always a goal to achieve.

“Of course tomorrow we are facing a team almost unbeatable at home, who play good football, press high and take up good spaces when they are on the ball.

“They put in a lot of crosses and make it dangerous for you with their attackers, who are good at getting into spaces.

“We already faced them at the Parc des Princes and it was a great game. If they (the PSG players) hadn’t been inspired, Lens would have won.

“It is a really good test for us at a fantastic stadium with an amazing atmosphere, so I am very excited.

“The only thing I wouldn’t forgive my team for is that if they are not brave or daring. That has been the case in every game this season.”

The PSG boss, who saw his team win 9-0 at amateur team Revel in the French Cup last time out, was giving little away about his team selection.

However, he did not complain about being without Achraf Hakimi and Lee Kang-in, who are on international duty with Morocco and South Korea respectively.

Enrique continued: “I am the coach and I decide who plays. We never complain about player absences. If I start to do that, imagine what the situation would be for other coaches in Ligue 1.

“We have to solve all problems that come up during the season.”

The manager ominously insisted his defending champions – who are currently five points clear at the top of the table and unbeaten away from home – would get stronger as the season progressed.

He explained: “I have known for a long time that we would be better in February. Of course you want the team to be a better team but the team will be stronger in February, March, April and May.

“I’m a really optimistic person and I think the hard work by the players is paying off.”

Kylian Mbappe became Paris St Germain’s leading scorer at the Parc des Princes as the Ligue 1 champions saw off Toulouse with a 2-0 victory to take the Champions Trophy.

PSG headed into Wednesday’s showpiece as the firm favourites to claim more silverware and they were ahead after just three minutes through Lee Kang-in.

Mbappe doubled his side’s advantage shortly before the interval with his 111th home strike for PSG as Luis Enrique landed his first trophy for the French side.

Ousmane Dembele returned for PSG following their 3-1 win against Metz a fortnight ago, while Toulouse made two changes with Vincent Sierro and Moussa Diarra back in the starting line-up.

Toulouse, who have found the going tough under new manager Carles Martinez Novell on the domestic front – with just two league wins this season – were making their first appearance at this stage of the competition since 1957 after thrashing Nantes to win the Coupe de France.

But they were a goal down with just two minutes and 35 seconds on the clock.

Vitinha’s superb crossfield ball was volleyed back across the face of goal by Dembele with an unmarked Lee making no mistake from close range.

PSG were on the front foot and in control, but Toulouse almost netted an equaliser when Gabriel Suazo struck the sidenetting with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma beaten.

With 10 minutes of the opening period remaining, Lee nearly had his second of the night when he unleashed an overhead kick, only to be gobbled up by Guillaume Restes, before Toulouse suddenly threatened again as Thijs Dallinga’s snapshot was tipped on to the post by Donnarumma.

But the home side did double their advantage before the interval following a moment of magic from Mbappe.

The France international collected the ball 25 yards from goal before dribbling away from a handful of Toulouse defenders and firing the ball into the far corner to surpass Edinson Cavani as PSG’s sharpest shooter at the Parc des Princes.

Mbappe’s masterclass left Toulouse with a mountain to climb in the second half and, despite an impressive start after the interval, PSG nearly had a third when Achraf Hakimi’s free-kick struck the woodwork.

Brazilian defender Lucas Beraldo was handed his debut in the second half and, while Toulouse refused to give up, they never looked like threatening PSG as Enrique’s men cruised to a record-extending 12th triumph – and their 10th in the past 11 years.

Paris St Germain boss Luis Enrique wishes he could be playing for a title every week as he bids to land his first trophy with the club on Wednesday.

The Ligue 1 champions can open 2024 by claiming more silverware as they take on French Cup holders Toulouse for the Champions Trophy at the Parc des Princes.

PSG, winners of the trophy in nine of the past 10 years, go into game as strong favourites having opened up a five-point lead at the top of the table while Toulouse languish in the bottom three.

Enrique, the former Barcelona and Spain manager who took charge last summer, told reporters at a press conference: “We have the opportunity to play a match to win our first title this season, so that’s a source of motivation.

“Our aim is to win every title possible. It would be a reward for all the work we put in last year, so of course we’re very motivated.

“I’d love to be able to play for a trophy every week, like all the players.

“Of course, the motivation is greater than any normal league match. It’s going to be played at ‘home’ but as a neutral ground, so I imagine the atmosphere will be great.”

Toulouse have found the going tough under new manager Carles Martinez Novell on the domestic front but they finished second to Liverpool in their Europa League group.

Enrique expects them to be highly motivated and is taking nothing for granted.

He said: “Paris Saint-Germain lives for this type of match but both teams will be motivated.

“They’re a team that can do a lot with the ball and if you give them time, they’re very good at occupying space. Without the ball, they can also perform well.”

The game comes after PSG began the January transfer window by completing the signing of Brazilian defender Lucas Beraldo.

He could be the first of a number of additions.

Enrique said: “If I can have several players available in each position, I’d obviously be delighted.

“We’ll be paying close attention during this transfer window and we’ll see if there are any opportunities that allow us to improve the team.”

Ousmane Dembele is the latest addition to the PSG injury list with a hamstring problem but back-up goalkeeper Arnau Tenas is available after a shoulder issue.

What the papers say

Paris St Germain and Newcastle are believed to be leading the chase for Kalvin Phillips. According to The Telegraph, the Manchester City midfielder is likely to leave the club this month in search of regular football, having made just two starts for City since his £45million move from Leeds 18 months ago.

The Hull Daily Mail reports Burnley winger Manuel Benson has entered talks with Hull City. The paper says the development comes after the two sides verbally agreed on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Manchester City are reportedly among a wealth of teams interested in 18-year-old Lille defender Leny Yoro. Le 10 Sport, via the Manchester Evening News, says Liverpool and Paris St Germain are also tracking Yoro, but Lille are unlikely to entertain any offers under £78m.

And the Liverpool Echo reports Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup, but are not expected to make a move this month.

Social media round-upPlayers to watch

Kylian Mbappe: Le Parisian says Real Madrid and Liverpool both want the Paris St Germain striker, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Joshua Kimmich: Manchester United and Liverpool are the frontrunners to nab the Bayern Munich midfielder, according to AS.

Brazil Under-20 defender Lucas Beraldo has joined Paris St Germain from Sao Paulo after agreeing a five-year deal with the French champions.

Beraldo has completed a move for a reported £17.36million after enjoying a breakthrough year in 2023 that saw him make 52 appearances for Sao Paulo.

The 20-year-old joined the club in 2020, starting out for the under-17s before making his first-team debut two years later.

“I’m really happy to be joining a club as ambitious as Paris St Germain,” Beraldo said on the PSG website.

“This is an important step in my career and one that will help me to move forward. I can’t wait to get to know my new team-mates and to take my first steps in this shirt.”

PSG currently top the Ligue 1 table, sitting five points above Nice, as they chase a third successive title.

Kylian Mbappe marked his 25th birthday with a brace as Paris St Germain returned to winning ways in Ligue 1 with a 3-1 home victory over struggling Metz.

Mbappe had been a virtual passenger for long periods before he rifled home his first on the hour mark, and he added a second seven minutes from time to make sure of the points.

It was a welcome response from the shock of conceding a stoppage-time equaliser against Lille at the weekend and maintained PSG’s five-point lead at the top of the table.

But Metz gave them problems and briefly threatened to force their way back into the game after Matthieu Udol headed home their only goal to reduce the deficit in the 72nd minute.

PSG struggled to turn their near-constant possession into chances early in the opening period with Vitinha coming closest during a frantic spell in the visitors’ box.

Mbappe would almost certainly have won a penalty after 15 minutes when he was brought down by Metz goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja in the box, but he strayed marginally offside in the process.

Metz almost grabbed a shock lead 10 minutes later when the persistently dangerous Kevin Van Den Kerkhof crossed into the box and Danilo bounced a header against his own crossbar.

Mbappe drilled his only chance of a frustrating first period into the Metz wall, before PSG finally got on the scoresheet five minutes after half-time.

Lee Kang-in cut inside and found Vitinha whose volley from close-range put the home side 1-0 in front.

Mbappe might have hardly been in the game but he still rose to the occasion when it mattered, unleashing a 25-yard rocket on the hour that gave Oukidja no chance.

Just when the hosts looked set to cruise to victory, Metz gave them something to think about as Udol headed home to reduce the deficit, then the buoyant visitors forced a succession of corners.

But PSG were still carrying plenty of threat and they effectively sealed the win in the 83rd minute when Mbappe pounced on a poor back pass to lift the ball over the Metz keeper.

To round off a memorable night for Mbappe, his 16-year-old brother Ethan made his debut from the substitutes’ bench in the final moments.

Luis Enrique believes Kylian Mbappe can continue to develop at Paris St Germain as the forward prepares to face Metz on his birthday.

Wednesday’s Ligue 1 clash at the Parc des Princes coincidences with Mbappe’s 25th birthday, with the France international having already hit 16 league goals in 15 games this season.

Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in France’s World Cup final defeat to Argentina, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, reports surfaced last week suggesting Mbappe’s relationship with Enrique has soured – but the Spaniard insists he wants to see the former Monaco man continue to make waves in Paris.

“Kylian is still very young at 25,” he told reporters at his press conference ahead of the visit of Metz.

“He is the age of my son which is quite something. I hope that Kylian Mbappe achieves so much more success both collectively and individually.

“We hope that will be here at PSG and we hope to help him develop.

“Of course, he is at a fantastic level and I’ve had the chance to get to know him as a person. So I am very lucky to have a player like him in my squad.

“With everything he brings, his individual statistics, he is impressive. He is at the top of world football”

PSG lead the way in Ligue 1, while Metz sit just three points clear of the relegation zone following their return to the top flight.

Despite the gap, Enrique is not expecting an easy night against Laszlo Boloni’s side.

“It will be a really difficult game,” he said.

“They will leave us with very little spaces to attack. We will need to be very precise and accurate to exploit those spaces.”

Enrique took charge in the French capital in the summer and has enjoyed his first half-season coaching in Ligue 1.

“I’m very pleased with the first half of the season in terms of results,” he added.

“Sometimes there were points when we weren’t so good but we are top of Ligue 1 and we hope to stay there.

“It is just the beginning, the most difficult part is still to be done in the second half of the season.”

PSG will be without Ousmane Dembele for the game, the winger sitting out as a precaution over a potential hamstring injury.

Lille denied Paris St Germain in stoppage time as Jonathan David earned his side a dramatic 1-1 draw.

Kylian Mbappe’s 68th-minute penalty, his 16th goal of the Ligue 1 season, had PSG on course for victory and a seven-point lead in the table.

Substitute David headed home in the 94th minute, though, to reward a late flurry from the home side.

Mbappe was well marshalled in the early stages by Nabil Bentaleb, who cleared when Ousmane Dembele’s cutback was just behind the France frontman after a scorching run down the wing.

Lille’s first attacks of note came when Edon Zhegrova twice cut inside PSG left-back Lucas Hernandez on to his left foot – he flashed a low shot just wide of the near post from the first chance then sliced across goal from the second after the ball bobbled.

Dembele shot wide after he was threaded in by Lee Kang-in for the clearest chance of the first half.

Lucas Chevalier tipped over Vitinha’s fierce near-post drive and defender Leny Yoro put the ball just over his own bar from the resulting corner.

Alexsandro made a crucial interception from another Dembele cross as the half ended goalless.

Dembele’s return ball just eluded Vitinha as PSG began the second half on the front foot, though Angel Gomes whistled a deflected effort just wide at the other end. Benjamin Andre headed wide from the corner.

Yusuf Yazici’s shot was blocked in a scramble in the PSG box as Les Dogues got their tails up.

Alexsandro prevented Vitinha’s scoop reaching Mbappe and then blocked the striker’s shot later in the same attack.

Bafode Diakite’s clumsy challenge on Hernandez just after the hour mark gifted Mbappe the chance from the spot and earned the defender a booking. Mbappe could be seen wishing Chevalier “bonne chance (good luck)” before firing crisply past him into the left side of the net.

Mbappe delivered a perfect cross moments later which was wasted by Dembele’s poor control.

Yazici’s celebrations were quickly cut short by an offside flag after he slammed home Gomes’ through-ball before Mbappe clipped wide from substitute Achraf Hakimi’s cross.

Another superb run by Zhegrova set up Yazici, whose shot was deflected wide by Marquinhos, and keeper Arnau Tenas picked David’s low cross off the toes of Gomes.

Tiago Santos’ deflected effort dipped just over the crossbar and Tenas smothered David’s effort after brilliant work by Adam Ounas – Lille’s first shot on target, in the 92nd minute.

It was not to be their last. Marco Asensio, somehow finding himself in the right-back position, gave possession away to Remy Cabella and, though Ounas’ deflected shot was saved, David nodded in the rebound.

The result left PSG five points clear of second-placed Nice, with Lille lying fourth.

Luis Enrique has warned Paris St Germain’s Ligue 1 rivals that his side can only improve in the second half of the season.

The reigning champions have taken 36 points from their first 15 games of the season, winning 11, drawing three and losing only once, and travel to Lille on Sunday having won their last eight games in the league.

Warren Zaire-Emery’s second-half strike also salvaged a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund in midweek to ensure PSG advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League as runners-up in Group F.

However, Enrique feels there is more to come as they prepare to face a Lille side who are unbeaten in their last 14 matches in all competitions and have kept five consecutive clean sheets.

“I have no doubt that we will be better in the second half of the season,” Enrique said in his pre-match press conference. “All my teams have been better afterwards.

“We will regain players who were injured, but we also have the possibility of buying other players if needed. I have no reason to be pessimistic.

“When I see what we have accomplished in the first part of the season, I can only be positive.

“Lille have been unbeaten for a long time and are a team that plays quite like us. They have a very good coach [Paulo Fonseca], I admire the style of football he plays.

“They can cause a lot of problems for the opposition. They play well both with and without the ball, they have a very good defence, they’re aggressive. They’re one of the best teams in the league.”

PSG’s place in the last 16 of the Champions League was up in the air in the final round of group fixtures, with AC Milan and Newcastle poised to take advantage of any slip up.

That looked a possibility when Karim Adeyemi fired Dortmund in front early in the second half and Newcastle held a 1-0 lead over Milan, but Zaire-Emery quickly equalised for PSG and Milan fought back to win 2-1 and secure a Europa League berth.

“We gave our all in every match and we faced top opponents,” Enrique said of his side’s Champions League campaign to date. “Our stats were good.

“We are positive and optimistic, we know that there will be other big matches. We always want to improve, it’s the club’s objective.

“This group in the Champions League has helped us to grow, there were some very good opponents, worthy of the round of 16 or quarter-finals.”