As reported by RMC, Amazon Prime Video lead pundit, and former Arsenal striker, Thierry Henry has challenged Lyon’s new €15m signing from Brest, Romain Faivre, to contribute six goals and six assists by the end of this season. Faivre had already reached 12 goal contributions this season, seven goals and five assists, with Brest before moving to Lyon in January but he’s started slowly at Lyon so far and hasn’t added to that tally in four games with OL. Click Here: Nevertheless, directly challenged in a post-match interview after Lyon’s draw with Lens last weekend, the 23-year-old Frenchman said he was up for Henry’s challenge, responding: “That’s no problem… I…

As reported by Foot Mercato this morning, UEFA have opened a disciplinary hearing following the presence of political banners during the Europa Conference League game between Marseille and Qarabag on Thursday night. Click Here: The game had previously been recognised as a potential risk, as a result of the significant Armenian population in the southern French city and the ongoing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the country where Qarabag is situated. During the game, Marseille fans presented a banner written in English that read “Qarabag is Armenia.” This was accompanied by Armenian flags and chants. UEFA stated that “provocative messages of a political, ideological, religious or insulting nature”  are banned in stadiums. Marseille have…

As reported by Le Progrès, Lyon’s Brazilian attacking midfielder Lucas Paquetá will no longer be used as a false nine this season. With first-choice number nine Moussa Dembélé injured and various other options unavailable, Paquetá had been pushed into an usual attacking spearhead role for Lyon in the winter. After a promising start in the position, which fell between a traditional number nine, holding up the ball, and a false nine who dropped off the front to pick up possession, performances faltered and criticism grew of the player, who had seemed exasperated, around the turn of the year. However, OL coach Peter Bosz and Paquetá (24) recently met to discuss…

As reported by Foot Mercato, Lyon have joined Spanish champions Atlético Madrid in their pursuit of Fenerbache man Miguel Crespo. The France-Portuguese central midfielder joined the Turkish club from Estoril last summer and has quickly become a key player this season in an unusual Super Lig season with Fener currently sitting sixth while fellow perennial heavyweights Galatasaray fight against relegation. Atlético submitted a loan offer with an option to buy in January, which was rejected, while Lyon enquired over Fenerbache’s demands for the 25-year-old too a few weeks ago but are yet to take the matter any further.   Click Here:

The UNECATEF, the French manager’s union, have released a statement this afternoon defending Metz manager Frédéric Antonetti after his sending off at the end of the 0-0 result against Lille last night for fighting with Lille’s Sylvain Armand. Antonetti had reacted after the game defending his actions and laying the blame on the Lille management for entering his technical area during the game. “YES he is hot-headed, YES he is under pressure, YES the sense of injustice with him is often thin-skinned, YES he can’t stand provocation, YES sometimes he forgets that he is representing his bench, YES his reactions are sometimes excessive but Fred Antonetti has been working for…

Speaking at his presentation as a Chicago Fire player, former Lyon attacker Xherdan Shaqiri explained he endured a tough relationship with OL coach Peter Bosz which saw him leave the French club after just half a season. Click Here: “There was something with the coach, tactically and personally, which meant I didn’t get along well with him… I wanted to leave France,” the Swiss international explained. “Great players have played in MLS, the league is progressing, it’s a good league. This project is exciting, I wanted to try something new.” Shaqiri (30) could reportedly earn up to $7m per year in MLS after his move last month which saw the…

Speaking in the wake of last night’s match against Saint-Étienne, Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino was keen to praise the performance of match-winner Kylian Mbappé, who scored twice and set up another. His words in RMC Sport, the Argentine also indicated that the forward was fine after appearing to have a thigh issue in the first half, and pointed out that he will be rested before the second leg against Real Madrid as he is suspended for next week’s game against Nice due to an accumulation of yellow cards. “It’s not easy to describe his performances. It’s incredible, magnificent. I am proud of him. I am happy about the game, we…

In his L’Équipe interview published today, Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo was notably quizzed on the arrival of Sergio Ramos. With the Spaniard only making five appearances this season due to a recurring calf injury, questions have been raised over PSG’s investment in the veteran defender last summer. “When we signed him he was fit. As of now, he’s played five games. Unfortunately, things haven’t gone as we imagined. It’s difficult for him and for everyone else. But we are clear with him. The day it’s said that he can no longer play, it’ll be clear to everyone. That’s not the case.” “But not being able to play makes it hard for…

According to Spanish publication Marca, the President of Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, threatened Dutch referee Danny Makkiele, having sought him out in his changing room after PSG’s collapse against Real Madrid. The cause of his anger is said to have been the ‘foul’ committed by Karim Benzema on Gianluigi Donnarumma which led to the Frenchman’s first goal of the night. A Real Madrid employee is said to have filmed the incident in which Nasser Al-Khelaïfi is reported to have said, “I will kill you.” Marca also state that UEFA are currently reviewing the footage in order to decide on a proportionate punishment. A referee’s report cited by Spanish radio station Onda Cero states the following: “The…

Ligue 1 21/22, Round 27 – 5/3/22 LENS – 0 Jean-Louis Leca, 4 Kevin Danso, 4 Facundo Medina, 4 Jonathan Gradit, 6 Jonathan Clauss, 6 – Not everything came off for him but he was a prominent driving force from his flank at times for Lens as his passing and deliveries generally aimed to be progressive and adventurous while he offered significant intensity to attacks. Massadio Haïdara, 4 Cheick Doucouré, 5 Seko Fofana, 5 – Worked hard here as usual and was a main creative protagonist for Lens but he again looked tired. That’s understandable so given how hard he’s worked for so long but his game is becoming a…