Substitute Goncalo Ramos scored with a powerful header in the 94th minute to earn European champions Paris Saint-Germain a late 1-0 win over Nice in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Ramos finally turned PSG's overwhelming possession into three points at the Parc des Princes and Luis Enrique's side can now switch their focus to the visit of Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday.

After second-placed Monaco slumped to defeat to Paris FC, PSG extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points but Marseille can cut the gap if they beat Auxerre later on Saturday.

It was the introduction of Ramos in the 72nd minute in place of Senny Mayulu that proved the injection of attacking thrust that PSG needed.

Ramos, making his 100th appearance for PSG, forced a fine save from Nice goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf shortly before his decisive goal.

As the seconds ticked down, the Portuguese international connected from close range with a corner from Lee Kang-in that was glanced on by the head of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Ramos gave the corner flag a karate kick in celebration as the home fans roared their approval.

Monaco suffered their first home defeat of the season as they slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to Paris FC, ending a promising unbeaten four-match run for new coach Sebastien Pocognoli.

Experienced Nigerian international Moses Simon gave the visitors the lead in the 53rd minute and Monaco's insipid performance was summed up when Takumi Minamino stabbed wide in second-half stoppage time.

Monaco will have to pick themselves up for the journey to the Arctic Circle to face Norwegian side Bodo Glimt in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Paris St Germain forward Desire Doue suffered a right thigh muscle lesion and will be out for several weeks, the French side said on Thursday.

The 20-year-old left the pitch in the 62nd minute during the 1-1 draw in Lorient on Wednesday, after halting his run and screaming out in pain. He was then carried off on a stretcher before leaving the stadium on crutches.

"Further review of the injury will take place after the international break," PSG said in a statement.

Doue will miss next week's Champions League clash against Bayern Munich and France's upcoming World Cup qualifiers in November.

"It's always bad news when there are injuries," PSG manager Luis Enrique told a press conference on Wednesday. "It's a strange injury."

Get well soon, Désiré Doué 🙏❤️ pic.twitter.com/jzejwY4vNE

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 29, 2025

The forward had only recently returned from a calf injury that had sidelined him for six matches with PSG and the previous set of World Cup qualifiers for Les Bleus.

Doue has scored three goals and registered one assist this season in all competitions.

Marseille midfielder Bilal Nadir is in good health but undergoing a "full medical check-up" after collapsing off the ball during the team's Ligue 1 draw with Angers, his club said on Thursday.

The 21-year-old went down when seemingly on his own, with the ball not in play, in the 86th minute at the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday, just 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute.

He was surrounded by concerned players from both teams before being stretchered off.

"The player did not lose consciousness at the time of the incident," Marseille said in a statement.

"Upon being attended to by the club's medical staff and the emergency services at the scene, all of his vital signs were found to be normal.

"As a precaution, Bilal Nadir was transferred to hospital for a full medical evaluation. His condition is good and he remains under observation."

Marseille conceded a late equaliser to Angers to miss the chance to usurp Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the Ligue 1 table.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, Bilal Nadir 🇲🇦❤️ pic.twitter.com/sDF0Ncjo5u

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 29, 2025

 

Paris Saint-Germain clung onto the Ligue 1 summit on Wednesday despite a stalemate at Lorient and an injury to star forward Desire Doue as other results went their way.

Doue fell to the ground grimacing with a right thigh injury on the hour mark, before being carried from the field of play raising immediate doubts over his availability for PSG's date with Bayern Munich next week in the Champions League.

The forward had only recently recovered full fitness after being injured playing for France in September.

The 20-year-old scored a brace in PSG's 7-2 rout of Bayer Leverkusen in their last Champions League outing, and his potential absence against Bayern on November 4 would represent a serious blow to Luis Enrique's European champions.

"It's always bad news when there are injuries," remarked the Spaniard.

"It's a strange injury; I don't know exactly his condition. I hope it's not a serious injury," added the PSG coach, without speculating on how long Doue might be out.

After the match, an AFP journalist saw Doue, head down and hood over his head, leaving the locker room on crutches and avoiding putting weight on his right leg as he got on the PSG bus.

Nuno Mendes put PSG into a 49th-minute lead in Brittany, only for Igor Silva to cancel that out seconds later to leave it 1-1 on the night.

Luis Enrique did not sugarcoat the performance.

"We didn't deserve the victory, we played a poor match," he said.

"It's a shame because we need points and we want to earn points.

"They defended very well, you have to stay focused for the full 90 minutes, and it's difficult."

However, PSG remained top of the table after Marseille had to settle for a 2-2 home draw with lowly Angers.

Angers, who arrived at the Velodrome propping up the table, took a first-half lead before a double from Robinio Vaz appeared to have saved the south coast club's evening.

But Ousmane Camara's leveller in the sixth minute of injury time lifted Angers out of the relegation zone as Marseille remained in third.

A 5-3 win at Nantes lifted Monaco up to second, one point off the lead.

Lens, who started the night second, slipped to sixth after being beaten 2-0 by Metz, thanks to late goals from Gauthier Hein, who was then sent off for the hosts on the night Metz claimed their first win of the season.

In other action, Nice registered a 2-0 home win over Lille, Le Havre beat Brest 1-0 and Paris FC drew 3-3 with Lyon.

Strasbourg climbed to fourth with a 3-0 home victory over 17th-placed Auxerre.

Reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday reported turnover at a record high of €837 million last season, despite concerns that the size of their stadium is holding them back.

In a statement announcing their annual financial results, Qatar-owned PSG called 2024/25, in which they won the Champions League for the first time, "a historic season on both sporting and economic fronts".

The club, which was bought by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) in 2011, said commercial revenue alone reached €367 million while matchday income – including ticket sales and hospitality – hit €175 million.

Total turnover was up slightly from €806 million in the previous campaign, when Real Madrid became the first club to generate one billion euros in revenue in a single season.

PSG were third in the Deloitte Football Money League – a ranking of the financial might of clubs – for the 2023/24 campaign, behind only Madrid and Manchester City, with the latter's revenue then reaching €837.8 million.

"This performance shows the maturity of the project since the arrival of its main shareholder QSI, and confirms the solidity of the club's economic model, now among the most successful in the world," said PSG, who added that turnover in 2011 – just before the Qatari takeover – was €99 million.

GROWING THE BRAND

"Since QSI's initial acquisition in 2011, Paris Saint-Germain's valuation, and interest from investors, has experienced exponential growth, reflecting the club's transformation into one of the most valuable and influential sports brands in the world."

The amount spent on player salaries has also dramatically decreased following the departures of superstars Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi in 2023 and 2024 – PSG said the per centage of turnover spent on wages had gone down from 111 per cent to below 65 per cent.

However, PSG's potential for further growth appears hampered by the financial context of French football as well as the limited size of their stadium.

The French champions earned vast prize money for winning the Champions League and from their run to the Club World Cup final, but broadcasting income in Ligue 1 has dropped following the collapse of its domestic TV deal.

The club are exploring ways of increasing matchday income, including a possible move away from their historic home at the 48 000-capacity Parc des Princes.

Major continental rivals such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Arsenal all play in larger stadiums. Barcelona will soon return to their Camp Nou home, where capacity will be 105 000 when renovations are completed.

"We are able to compete with Europe's biggest clubs while playing in a smaller stadium. We need to innovate in order to keep growing," said PSG.

They are currently considering leaving their municipally-owned home to move to a larger venue far out in the Paris suburbs, with two sites being studied: one at Massy, to the south, and one to the north-west in Poissy, where the club recently opened a new training ground.

Lyon's Belgian prodigy Malick Fofana has been ruled out for "several months" with an ankle injury suffered at the weekend, dealing a major blow to his club's prospects in Ligue 1 and in Europe.

Winger Fofana, 20, was stretchered off in distress after his ankle twisted in gruesome fashion under a challenge by Strasbourg's Ismael Doukoure during Sunday's game between the sides.

Lyon described the injury as a "serious sprain of the right ankle" and said Fofana would "very probably need surgery, which would keep him out for several months".

Doukoure was shown a red card for the challenge following a VAR check, and Lyon went on to win the game 2-1 thanks to a late goal by Fofana's replacement, Afonso Moreira.

🚨🇧🇪 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Malick Fofana (18) will be out of action for several months! ❌🏥

He suffered a serious sprain of the right ankle in the match vs Strasbourg.

Speedy recovery to him. 🙏❤️ pic.twitter.com/jpsI15tSv9

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) October 27, 2025

The win left Lyon fourth in Ligue 1 with 18 points, just two points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain after nine matches.

They are also one of only three teams with the maximum nine points after three games in the league phase of the Europa League.

However, losing Fofana until well into the new year represents a major handicap for a club who were relying heavily on his talent after having to sell star forwards Rayan Cherki and Georges Mikautadze during the summer.

Captain Alexandre Lacazette also left when his contract expired, and Lyon's serious financial difficulties meant few replacements were brought in – the seven-time French champions were condemned to relegation to Ligue 2 due to their debts before overturning that punishment on appeal.

Fofana, who has appeared in Belgium's last four World Cup qualifiers, has two goals in 12 appearances this season for Lyon and scored 11 times in 41 matches in the last campaign.

He was linked in the close season with moves to Everton and Bayern Munich, but opted to stay at Lyon.

Afonso Moreira scored a spectacular last-minute winner to hand Lyon a valuable 2-1 home victory in Ligue 1 against 10-man Strasbourg on Sunday.

Liam Rosenior's youthful side took the lead at the Groupama Stadium through Joaquin Panichelli before Ismael Doukoure turned through his own net and then received a straight red card for a dangerous tackle.

Lyon captain Corentin Tolisso missed a first-half penalty for the hosts as it seemed the chance for them to go into the top four had gone begging.

However, substitute Moreira's late heroics sent Lyon fourth on 18 points, while Strasbourg sit seventh, two points behind their opponents.

LAST. MINUTE. MAGIC. 🦁🔥 pic.twitter.com/gLvi5IRFHY

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 26, 2025

A win would have sent the visitors into second place behind reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain, who won 3-0 at Brest on Saturday.

Strasbourg went in front on 25 minutes when Argentine forward Panichelli glanced in a header at the end of an excellent team move.

But the lead lasted only six minutes as the unfortunate Doukoure deflected a Malick Fofana cross into his own goal.

Lyon then had a golden opportunity to go ahead when the referee adjudged Valentin Barco to have caught Corentin Tolisso in the box – the official sticking with his original decision after an on-pitch VAR review.

Goalkeeper Mike Penders profited from the break in play to consult the Strasbourg backroom staff's notes and duly denied Tolisso from the spot with his legs in the 42nd minute to keep the scores level at the break.

VAR was again at the centre of the drama midway through the second period when Doukoure's day went from bad to worse as his yellow card for a tackle from behind on Fofana was upgraded to a red.

The stricken Belgian was stretchered from the pitch after suffering an injury to his ankle.

Down to 10, Strasbourg showed resilience to keep the hosts at bay and looked set to eke out a good point away from home.

But there was a final twist in the tale as Fofana's replacement, Moreira, grabbed all three points for Lyon in the 91st minute with a superb curling finish from the left of the box into the far top corner.

'JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH'

Earlier, Lille produced a barnstorming second half to thump bottom-side Metz 6-1.

Goals by Hamza Igamane and Felix Correia had the hosts in charge by the interval before Bruno Genesio's side ran in four goals in the second period.

Correia doubled up eight minutes after the break and then Romain Perraud, Benjamin Andre and Hakon Haraldsson netted as Lille moved up to fifth.

What a performance by Lille! 🍿🤯 pic.twitter.com/VNKgh3Qh6q

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 26, 2025

Ibou Sane scored a consolation goal deep into injury time for winless Metz.

"We're just not good enough," Metz midfielder Gauthier Hein said.

"What we're doing on the pitch isn't enough against this kind of team. They're running rings around us, we just don't have the answers."

Rennes thought they had nabbed a 93rd-minute leveller at home to Nice but an offside in the build-up to Mohamed Kader Meite's goal meant the match finished 2-1 to the visitors.

5 games unbeaten in a row for Lens! 🔴🟡 pic.twitter.com/kIXj5m0EQv

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 25, 2025

Angers climbed out of the relegation zone courtesy of a 2-0 victory over 16th-placed Lorient with two 18-year-olds in Prosper Peter and Sidiki Cherif doing the damage for the hosts.

Auxerre took their place in the drop zone following a 1-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Le Havre.

Paris Saint-Germain won after two Ligue 1 stalemates as they beat Brest 3-0 on Saturday to replace Marseille at the top of the table.

The reigning French and European champions regained the summit after Marseille came unstuck 2-1 in the late game at Lens.

Mason Greenwood continued his fine form, putting Marseille into a 17th minute lead a week after netting four in the 6-2 hammering of Le Havre.

But they were undone by Odsonne Edouard's penalty after a foul by Benjamin Pavard, who then scored a 53rd minute own goal.

The reverse dropped Marseille to third, two points off PSG. Lens moved into second.

Two goals from Achraf Hakimi helped PSG to a sixth win of the season.

Vitinha's deft chipped pass behind the Brest defence set up Morocco international Hakimi to score with a low shot after 29 minutes.

Ten minutes later Hakimi exchanged passes with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and fired into the roof of the net at the Stade Francis-Le Ble.

Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele replaced Hakimi halfway through the second half for his first Ligue 1 appearance since he was injured in late September.

Romain Del Castillo missed a penalty for Brest in the 59th minute before Desire Doue wrapped up the three points for PSG with a goal late in stoppage time.

PSG boss Luis Enrique radiated relief at the result.

"I'm very happy with the success, it's always difficult to win at Brest."

In Monaco, new manager Sebastien Pocognoli celebrated his first win since taking over from Adi Hutter, Mohammed Salisu's third minute header enough to down Toulouse 1-0.

The 38-year-old Pocognoli, who led Union Saint-Gilloise to the Belgian title last season, got off the mark at the third attempt after two stalemates, in the league against Angers and in the Champions League against Tottenham this week.

"I'm proud of this first win," said the Belgian.

"I am happy and proud because in 10 days, taking the whole squad and bringing them along with me and the staff is a challenge for a young coach. This wraps up a good 10 days together."

Hutter was surprisingly sacked a fortnight ago after a run of just one win in five matches.

Nice produced a clinical 3-2 win at home to Lyon on Saturday as they denied the visitors the chance to go top of Ligue 1.

Victory for Paulo Fonseca's Lyon would have seen them leapfrog champions Paris Saint-Germain at the summit but instead a frustrating one-goal loss condemned them to remain fourth on 15 points.

Nice defeat Lyon in an entertaining duel! 🦅✨ pic.twitter.com/vfYtQ0luKH

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 18, 2025

PSG drew 3-3 at home to second-placed Strasbourg on Friday, offering the chance to rivals Marseille and Lyon to take first place.

Marseille, third, host lowly Le Havre later on Saturday.

Melvin Bard gave eighth-placed Nice the lead with five minutes on the clock as he fired a fine first-time finish past Dominik Greif after racing onto Sofiane Diop's inviting ball across the box from the right flank.

The away side levelled just shy of the half-hour when Pavel Sulc nodded in a flick-on from a corner.

Diop restored the hosts' lead in the 35th minute with what was just their second shot on target of the match.

The danger again came from the right-hand side as a flighted ball was headed back across the six-yard box by Mohamed-Ali Cho and the Moroccan tucked home from a tight angle.

Lyon were awarded a spot-kick shortly after half-time but former Arsenal man Ainsley Maitland-Niles failed to beat goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf from 12 yards as Nice were let off.

The home side immediately took advantage of the reprieve as midfielder Hicham Boudaoui finished a breakaway with an unerring strike that curved away from Greif and into the Slovakian's far corner on 55 minutes.

Too much talent in one picture 🤩

Khalis Merah & Ayyoub Bouaddi ✨ pic.twitter.com/bQTYV2KeGT

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 18, 2025

Sulc headed in his second of the match for Lyon five minutes into added time, but Nice held firm to see out the three points.

Elsewhere on Saturday, fifth-placed Monaco travel to second-last Angers.

Paris Saint-Germain produced a second-half fightback to draw 3-3 with an impressive Strasbourg on Friday as Luis Enrique's injury-hit side held on to top spot in Ligue 1.

Bradley Barcola gave reigning French and European champions PSG an early advantage at the Parc des Princes, but Strasbourg came roaring back to lead 3-1 thanks to a Joaquin Panichelli double and a Diego Moreira goal.

However, Goncalo Ramos converted a penalty and then Senny Mayulu equalised for PSG, who avoided what would have been a second defeat already in eight domestic outings this season.

PSG and Strasbourg share the points in Paris 🤝

Marseille can move to the top of #Ligue1 with a win on Saturday 👀#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/LZI6kttuG2

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 17, 2025

"Strasbourg are without any doubt one of the best teams in Ligue 1, so we knew how difficult it was going to be," said Luis Enrique, who nevertheless insisted that he had no choice but to rest several key players who had just returned from international duty.

Achraf Hakimi and Vitinha were unused substitutes, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was among those only brought on in the second half.

PSG stayed top of the table, a point clear of Strasbourg after denying the Alsace team what would have been a first ever win for them in 35 top flight attempts away to the Parisians.

The result nevertheless means Marseille and Lyon can now each climb above PSG and Strasbourg with wins on Saturday – OM are at home to Le Havre while Lyon travel to Nice.

"Our objective is to be in a position to win every competition but that will be very difficult," the Spanish coach added.

"We still need to get three or four important players back but I think it was a good performance from those who played."

Bradley Barcola strikes inside the opening ten for PSG ⚽💥

📺 Stream #Ligue1 on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/PaHfx9hdl3

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 17, 2025

PSG were still without Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury picked up playing for France last month.

Captain Marquinhos was also sidelined along with midfield duo Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves, although a largely second-string Paris side did welcome back Desire Doue after a month and a half out.

PANICHELLI DOUBLE

Doue set up Barcola's opener and also won the penalty which allowed Ramos to score the hosts' second goal on the night.

PSG went in front in the sixth minute when Barcola exchanged passes with Doue as he burst into the area and fired in his fourth goal of the season.

Strasbourg, who beat the Parisians 2-1 at home last May, were back level on 26 minutes when Guela Doue – Desire's elder brother – crossed from the right and Argentine striker Panichelli scored with a towering header.

6' PSG 1-0 Strasbourg
➖
41' PSG 1-2 Strasbourg

Goals from Panichelli and Moreira put the visitors ahead at half-time ⚪🔥

📺 Stream #Ligue1 on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQWD1K#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/gFLCdfI3Kz

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 17, 2025

The visitors then went ahead just prior to the interval as Valentin Barco lifted a pass over the top of the home defence for Belgian Under-21 international Moreira to finish past goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.

Moreira then turned provider for Panichelli to make it 3-1 shortly after the restart, with the summer signing scoring his seventh goal already in just eight Ligue 1 appearances.

Strasbourg have three 🤯

Luis Enrique has some thinking to do in the PSG dugout 🧠

📺 Stream #Ligue1 on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/6IOveyFY6h

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 17, 2025

Yet PSG, who were beaten in Marseille last month, won a spot-kick when Doue was brought down by goalkeeper Mike Penders and Ramos made no mistake with the penalty.

Lee Kang-in cracked a shot off the post before setting up Mayulu's leveller 11 minutes from time, as the 19-year-old saw his initial shot saved by Penders but headed in the follow-up.

We've got a six-goal thriller in Paris 🤩

PSG turn it around to equalise with ten minutes to play ⚽

📺 Stream #Ligue1 on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQWD1K#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/ycAHkH07wk

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 17, 2025

The Champions League title-holders now turn their attentions back to their European campaign and a trip to Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday – they have already beaten Atalanta and Barcelona in the competition this season.

Liam Rosenior's Strasbourg meanwhile face Jagiellonia Bialystok of Poland in the UEFA Conference League next week.

"I just wanted us to walk off tonight and be proud of who we are and we certainly did that," said Englishman Rosenior.

"We were playing against the best team in the world, full stop. I think they are a credit to this league and I think the game was a credit to this league."

Other Ligue 1 action this weekend includes Monaco travelling to Angers on Saturday, when new Belgian coach Sebastien Pocognoli will take charge of the principality side for the first time.

Ligue 1 McDonald’s matches will now be available live on SuperSport to DStv, DStv Stream and GOtv subscribers across the continent, starting with Uefa Champions League holders PSG v RC Strasbourg on Friday, 17 October 2025 at 20:45 (CAT).

SuperSport is proud to announce that select French Ligue 1 McDonald’s football matches will now be available in English on Your World of Champions, through the league’s broadcast partnership with CANAL+, new owner of SuperSport.

Viewers can start experiencing a first glimpse of French league on Friday, 17 October 2025, starting with the Uefa Champions League champions and Fifa Club World Cup finalists, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), taking on RC Strasbourg at 20:45 (CAT).

SuperSport viewers will this month also get to see some traditional big French clubs such as Monaco, Marseille and Lyon.

SuperSport will broadcast up to three Ligue 1 McDonald’s matches per weekend, bringing iconic French players such as Ballon d'or Winner Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué to millions of African screens

 

📍 Parc des Princes
⌚️ 8:45pm CEST
👉 #PSGRCSA pic.twitter.com/vPs7tUIJ8V

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 17, 2025

 

Rendani Ramovha, Director of Sport Content English, and Portuguese-speaking Africa for MultiChoice, (a CANAL+ company), said: “SuperSport is proud to add to its array of explosive football action and entertainment for our viewers across Africa, through the CANAL+ partnership with Ligue 1 McDonald’s."

"We know how much football is loved across the continent, and broadcasting a prestigious league such as Ligue 1 only adds to the value that our subscribers receive. The calibre of football talent now available on SuperSport speaks for itself, and we are thrilled to add the French League to our premium sports catalogue.”

For full broadcast information, please check your TV Guide, follow @SuperSportFootball and @SuperSporttv on all your social media platforms or visit SuperSport.com

(Note: Not available on Showmax packages)

Matches on SuperSport in October (All times CAT):

Fri 17 Oct:

20:45 - PSG v Strasbourg on SuperSport Football / SuperSport GOtv Football

Sat 18 Oct:

21:05 - Marseille v Le Havre on SuperSport Variety 3 / SuperSport Africa 1/ GO Africa 1

Sun 19 Oct:

20:45 – Nantes v Lille on SuperSport Variety 3 / Action A.

Fri 24 Oct

20:45 – Paris FC v Nantes on SuperSport Variety 3 / Africa 2 / GO Africa 2

Sat 25 Oct

17:00 – Brest v PSG on Events SA (Ch 199) / SuperSport Africa 1 / GOtv Africa 1

21:05 – Lens v Marseille SuperSport Football / SuperSport Football Africa / SuperSport GOtv Football

Sun 26 Oct

21:05 - Lyon v Strasbourg on Variety 3 / Football A/ GO Football

Wed 29 Oct

20:00 – Lorient v PSG on SuperSport Variety 1 / Africa 1 / GOtv Africa 1

22:05 – Nantes v Monaco on SuperSport Variety 1 / Africa 1 / GOtv Africa 1

Monaco's new coach Sebastien Pocognoli is looking to take inspiration from his old boss Louis van Gaal as he tries to kickstart the Ligue 1 club's season after a sluggish start to the campaign that cost his predecessor his job.

Austrian coach Adi Huetter was fired last week with Monaco having won just one of their last five matches – a run which includes a 4-1 hammering by Club Brugge in the Champions League, and a 3-1 domestic defeat at newly-promoted Lorient.

It was an alarming drop in form for a team that came third in Ligue 1 last season and had been hoping to produce a more credible domestic challenge to Paris Saint-Germain while also making an impression in Europe.

Huetter, who had been in charge since July 2023, has been replaced by the relatively inexperienced Pocognoli, a 38-year-old former Belgian international lured from Union Saint-Gilloise.

"I am going to come with principles, which must match those of Monaco because that is why they chose me," Pocognoli said at his unveiling.

"I like the fact that the club showed an interest in a young coach, and I think such an approach is daring in itself," added Pocognoli, who played under Van Gaal in the AZ Alkmaar side that won the Dutch title in 2009.

"I felt better every day with him, and when he left I felt less good.

"That means he was a very good coach and it made me realise that a coach can really have an impact on the development of players."

 

AS Monaco is pleased to announce the arrival of Sébastien Pocognoli as head coach ✍️

The 38-year-old Belgian coach has signed a contract binding him to the Red & Whites until June 2027. pic.twitter.com/0ImuqUvuJT

— AS Monaco EN 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco_EN) October 11, 2025

 

A former Standard Liege, West Bromwich Albion and Brighton left-back, Pocognoli had not coached at senior level until last season, when he led the Brussels club to their first Belgian title in 90 years.

He has given up the chance to pursue a Champions League campaign with them in order to sign a deal until 2027 with Monaco, where he will be assisted by ex-Everton and Belgium striker Kevin Mirallas.

He takes over a Monaco side hardly lacking in talent, including new France international Maghnes Akliouche, Japan star Takumi Minamino, England's Eric Dier and on-loan Barcelona forward Ansu Fati.

Pocognoli also has the long-awaited return to fitness of Paul Pogba to look forward to.

The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder is still to make his debut after signing in the close season as he builds up fitness following a long spell out of action due to injury and a doping ban.

He is not expected to be ready for at least two more weeks, and in the meantime Pocognoli's debut on the bench will come at Angers on Saturday.

Monaco then return to Champions League action on Wednesday when Tottenham Hotspur visit the Stade Louis II.

They are currently fifth in the table after seven games, only three points behind leaders PSG, and held Manchester City to a 2-2 draw in their last Champions League outing.

Player to watch: Joaquin Panichelli

The tall 23-year-old Argentinian striker has wasted no time making an impression at Strasbourg since moving to France in the close season.

He has five goals in his first seven Ligue 1 appearances and it appears that Strasbourg already have the long-term successor to captain Emmanuel Emegha, who will move to Chelsea next season.

Panichelli, who began his career at River Plate, moved to Alsace in July from LaLiga side Alaves in a deal worth a reported €20 million ($23.3m).

He had hardly played in the Spanish top flight but netted 21 times last season on loan at second-tier outfit Mirandes.

Key stats

34 - PSG have never lost in 34 previous home meetings with Strasbourg in the top flight

7 - Marseille have recorded seven straight home wins in Ligue 1, their best run in over a decade

6 - The number of goals scored by Ansu Fati in just five appearances for Monaco

Fixtures (times GMT)

Friday

Paris Saint-Germain v Strasbourg (6:45pm)

Saturday

Nice v Lyon (3pm), Angers v Monaco (5pm), Marseille v Le Havre (7:05pm)

Sunday

Lens v Paris FC (1pm), Toulouse v Metz, Rennes v Auxerre, Lorient v Brest (all 3:15pm), Nantes v Lille (6:45pm)

French Ligue 1 club Monaco appointed Sebastien Pocognoli as their new head coach on Saturday following the surprise sacking of Adi Huetter in midweek.

The 38-year-old Pocognoli led Union Saint-Gilloise to the Belgian title last season, and inherits a Monaco side three points off the top of Ligue 1 and with one point from two Champions League games.

"Sebastien Pocognoli arrives in Monaco on the back of a highly successful spell in the Belgian Pro League with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, where he stood out by combining strong results with an ambitious and attractive style of play," Monaco said in a statement.

Pocognoli led Union SG to their first league title in 90 years, finishing ahead of Club Brugge.

Pocognoli's first game in charge will be a league trip to Angers in a week's time, before hosting Tottenham four days later in the Champions League.

Austrian Huetter was sacked on Thursday after a run of just one win in five matches.

Coach Adi Hutter has left AS Monaco after more than two years in charge, the Ligue 1 side said on Friday, after the club registered only one win in their last five matches in all competitions.

French media reported that Sebastien Pocognoli, manager at Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, was set to replace the former Austria international as the Monaco coach.

Hutter guided Monaco to top-three finishes in the previous two seasons, but the club made a mixed start to the 2025-26 season, suffering a 4-1 thrashing at Club Brugge in the Champions League before a 2-2 draw against Manchester City.

Last weekend's 2-2 Ligue 1 derby draw with 10-man Nice left Monaco fifth, three points below leaders Paris St Germain.

"We didn’t find the right solutions to find the final goal. I am not 100 per cent satisfied," Hutter said after Sunday's draw.

Monaco visit Angers in their next Ligue 1 match on October 18, before hosting Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on October 22.

Kylian Mbappe's brother Ethan haunted his former club Paris Saint-Germain as he came off the bench to grab a late leveller for Lille in Ligue 1 on Sunday, while Lyon went down to a surprise 2-1 defeat at home to Toulouse.

The 1-1 draw at Lille's Stade Pierre-Mauroy was, however, enough for injury-plagued PSG to go one point clear at the top of the French league.

A much-changed PSG side made the trip north and substitute Nuno Mendes's sublime second-half free-kick looked to have secured all three points for the reigning champions until 18-year-old Mbappe had the last laugh.

"We prioritised the players' health... It's been a difficult week. After the match in Barcelona (in the Champions League), we're feeling the fatigue," said PSG coach Luis Enrique of his starting XI.

A first half short on goalscoring opportunities culminated in Bradley Barcola passing up a gilt-edged chance to break the deadlock for PSG as he raced through on goal from distance but fluffed his finish.

The hosts started the second period the brighter with 39-year-old Olivier Giroud launching himself at an ambitious overhead kick before Nabil Bentaleb fired into Lucas Chevalier's gloves.

Lee Kang-in and Barcola riposted for PSG as the encounter started to become less cagey.

Luis Enrique made a slew of changes on the hour and was rewarded six minutes later as usual first-choice left-back Mendes whipped a fantastic free-kick into the top corner from 30 yards.

Mbappe then entered the field of play under the watchful eye of his older brother Kylian, now of Real Madrid and who was up in the stands, with eight minutes remaining.

Achraf Hakimi, also off the bench, could have put the match beyond Lille in the 83rd minute but fired wide when well-positioned.

But the headlines went to Mbappe, who two minutes later cut inside on his left foot and fired a shot through the legs of Lucas Beraldo, which flashed beyond the unsighted Chevalier.

"Ethan has character, good self-confidence, and also qualities for the highest level," said Lille boss Bruno Genesio.

Lille trail PSG by five points in seventh spot.

'CRUEL RESULT' 

New arrival Emersonn opened his account for Lyon with a brace, including nodding in a 96th-minute winner, as Toulouse fought back to beat Lyon 2-1.

Paulo Fonseca's side went into the weekend's action level on points with PSG at the top of the table but now find themselves fourth after being sucker-punched by Toulouse.

Lyon looked set to go provisionally clear at the top when Malick Fofana put the hosts ahead on 24 minutes.

Brazilian forward Emersonn entered the fray off the bench inside the final 20 minutes to flip the game on its head and bring Toulouse up to ninth on 10 points.

The 21-year-old summer signing from Turkish side Goztepe scored his first for Toulouse in the 87th minute with a deflected effort.

The winner came in the sixth minute of injury time as Emersonn rose highest to glance home a corner.

Lyon assistant coach Jorge Maciel said it was "a cruel but not surprising result".

"It's not enough... We can never be satisfied with a 1-0 lead. We can't take our foot off the gas and give our opponents opportunities," the Portuguese added.

Elsewhere, Cote d'Azur rivals Monaco and Nice played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the principality.

Sofiane Diop gave the 12th-placed visitors the lead on 29 minutes, before Nice went down to 10 men five minutes later as Ali Abdi saw red for two bookable offences.

Diop nonetheless doubled Nice's lead in the 42nd minute from the penalty spot but the fifth-placed hosts fought back through two Ansu Fati spot-kicks to finish honours even.

Strasbourg thumped 17th-placed Angers 5-0 to go third, level on 15 points with second-placed Marseille and Lyon.

Rennes were held to a 2-2 draw at Le Havre, despite being two goals ahead inside the opening half-hour.

Marseille climbed to the top of Ligue 1 on Saturday with a 3-0 win at Metz which left coach Roberto De Zerbi purring over his side's form after four straight wins.

Victory moved Marseille onto 15 points, ahead of champions Paris Saint-Germain and surprise packages Lyon on goal difference with the latter two still to play this weekend.

Abdallah Sima scored with virtually the last kick of the match to hand 10-man Lens a 2-1 victory at Auxerre and move the northerners up to fourth.

Rock bottom Metz parked the bus in the first half but Marseille poured forwards after the break with Brazilian dynamo Igor Paixao breaking the deadlock on 51 minutes, while Matt O'Riley on 69 minutes and Amine Gouiri two minutes after that secured the three points.

"These are the kind of matches we were losing last year, we've matured and the team is much stronger now," said De Zerbi.

"I'm very happy.

"This is my best period since I took over Marseille," the Italian coach, who joined from Brighton in June 2024 and led OM to the runners-up spot last season, added.

Marseille had a rocky start to the season with a dressing room fight after an opening day slump paving the way for star midfielder Adrien Rabiot to be transfer listed, before joining AC Milan.

De Zerbi described the altercation between Rabiot and English winger Jonathan Rowe – who moved to Bologna – as being like a bar room brawl.

Before Saturday's romp over bottom side Metz, Marseille beat Ajax 4-0 in the Champions League after wins over PSG and Strasbourg in Ligue 1.

Marseille, who last won the title in 2010, also climbed top briefly last Friday after their 2-1 come-from-behind win at Strasbourg.

Lens took an early lead at the Stade de l'Abbe-Deschamps through former Crystal Palace forward Odsonne Edouard.

Francisco Sierralta equalised for the lowly hosts just after the hour mark and when centre-back Piere-Ismaelo Ganiou was sent off with 17 minutes to play, Lens's hopes of victory seemed slim.

But Sima had the last word.

In the day's other match Brest and Nantes played out a goalless draw.

PSG, who have won Ligue 1 in the last four years, travel to Lille on Sunday while Lyon host Toulouse, with either able to take over top spot if they avoid defeat.

Paris Saint-Germain are fresh from a fine Champions League win in Barcelona, but there are signs that this season might present the best opportunity in a long time for someone else to win the Ligue 1 title.

PSG have almost totally dominated French football in the years since being taken over by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011, winning 11 of the last 13 championships.

Their revenue – the third-largest in world football last year according to Deloitte's Football Money League at 806 million euros ($947m) – dwarfs every other club in the country.

But an epic 2024/25 campaign has taken a lot out of Luis Enrique's side.

Crowned by their maiden Champions League triumph, it also featured a domestic treble and a run to the Club World Cup final, but the season lasted 11 months and 65 games.

That has caught up with them, with Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele one of a host of players currently injured.

PSG do not have a huge squad and retaining the European Cup has to be their primary aim. A recent 1-0 defeat in Marseille proved they are not invincible.

The Parisians are presently only above Lyon atop Ligue 1 on goal difference, while Marseille, Monaco and Strasbourg sit within three points.

"It is normal to lose a few matches over the course of a season," insisted Luis Enrique after the defeat in Marseille, and the fact PSG won the title by 19 points last season confirms how big their margin over the rest of the league is.

A different champion would be a much-needed breath of fresh air, but can anyone step up to bridge the gap?

Marseille are best-placed. Roberto De Zerbi's team followed beating PSG with an impressive victory last weekend in Strasbourg and then hammered Ajax in the Champions League.

They have a large squad – De Zerbi has used 28 players this season, compared to PSG's 22 – and a fiery coach who is able to harness the heated atmosphere of their Stade Velodrome in the team's favour.

"It is understandable that there should be more expectation on us after we beat Paris. That doesn't bring any pressure or anxiety," De Zerbi said last week.

It remains to be seen, though, if they can maintain the consistency required over the long run to seriously push PSG.

Monaco's flaws are obvious, with a leaky defence and a lack of options in midfield.

Strasbourg are exciting but very young, surely lacking the experience needed for a title challenge.

Then there is Lyon, who have enjoyed a fantastic start, with five wins and five clean sheets in six games.

But financial problems have probably left them with too small a squad to maintain that form for the duration.

PLAYER TO WATCH: ANSU FATI

The Spain winger, 22, joined Monaco on loan with the aim of kick-starting a career which had stalled at Barcelona due to injuries.

Before Lamine Yamal emerged, Fati was seen as Lionel Messi's successor. He made his Barca debut aged 16 and went on to become the youngest goal-scorer in Champions League history and for Spain.

But Fati started just three games for Barcelona last season and clearly needed a change.

The early signs at Monaco are promising, with four goals in three games before he started in Wednesday's 2-2 Champions League draw with Manchester City.

"He is a big name and he wants to be influential at Monaco," said his coach Adi Huetter.

Key stats

60 - De Zerbi has won 60 percent of his Ligue 1 matches with Marseille (24 out of 40).

11 - Monaco have let in 11 goals in their last four games in all competitions heading into the Cote d'Azur derby against Nice.

100 - Vitinha is in line to make his 100th Ligue 1 appearance for PSG since joining the club in 2022.

Fixtures (times GMT)

Friday

Paris FC v Lorient (1845)

Saturday

Metz v Marseille (1500), Brest v Nantes (1700), Auxerre v Lens (1905)

Sunday

Lyon v Toulouse (1300), Monaco v Nice, Strasbourg v Angers, Le Havre v Rennes (all 1515), Lille v Paris Saint-Germain (1845)

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal almost became the youngest ever Ballon d'Or winner last week at 18, and Wednesday's Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain offers the ideal opportunity to begin stating his case for next year.

PSG star Ousmane Dembele won the award for the best player in the world but is out injured and will miss the match at the Olympic stadium, leaving runner-up Yamal the floor.

Last season it was the then 17-year-old who inspired Barcelona's charge to the semifinals, and despite two outstanding displays against Inter Milan, Hansi Flick's side fell just short.

They missed out on facing PSG in the final, as the French side crushed Inter to claim their first Champions League trophy.

Yamal pledged he would bring the cup to Barcelona, who have not won it since 2015 and the days of Lionel Messi.

Despite Yamal's quality, already immense and still increasing, Barcelona have improved without him last season.

In the 2024/25 campaign they struggled when he was absent, depending far too much on him, but they have just won five games in a row, the first four of those without the teenager.

Yamal was sidelined with a groin issue but on his return against Real Sociedad on Sunday in LaLiga made an instant impact when introduced in the 58th minute.

The right winger burst into the box and crossed for Robert Lewandowski to head home the winner, little over a minute after entering the fray.

It was the perfect way to reintroduce himself, shaking the crowd out of their stupor.

"(Just) his presence on the pitch is a threat," said Real Sociedad coach Sergio Francisco. "He's showing every day he's the best player in the world. It's a treat to watch him."

Yamal's impact against Real Sociedad was also a tonic for the club during a difficult week. They lost Joan Garcia and Raphinha to injury, the duo joining recently hurt duo Fermin Lopez and Gavi on the sidelines.

Barcelona were also denied permission to return to their renovated Camp Nou home by the city council, despite hopes they could host the La Real game there.

"I'm happy to have him back, he showed it directly, his outstanding strength he has to create chances, to give the last pass. It's good to have him back," said Flick.

'CLIMB TO GET TO THE TOP'

Despite his age, Yamal has made over 100 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 27 goals, and winning two LaLiga titles since his debut at 15 in 2023.

The Spain international, who won Euro 2024 with his country the day after his 17th birthday, is often compared to eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and Barcelona all-time great Lionel Messi.

Yamal inherited his iconic number 10 shirt at the start of this season, also worn by Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho among other historic Barca stars.

Only time will tell whether Yamal will be able to reproduce Messi's longevity, but thus far he has risen to meet every challenge he has faced since his debut at just 15.

The Argentine did not win the Ballon d'Or until he was 22, with Brazil great Ronaldo the youngest ever winner at 21.

Yamal may have missed out this year, but if he wins the award in 2026 or 2027, he will still claim that record, as he has done so many others.

"You have to climb to get to the top," said Yamal on Instagram after missing out in Paris, and facing PSG may be the first rung on the ladder.

Paris Saint-Germain face their biggest test of the season so far when the Champions League title-holders visit Barcelona this week, but Luis Enrique's side come into the game in the midst of an injury crisis affecting several of their biggest stars.

The headline absentee is Ousmane Dembele, fresh from winning the Ballon d'Or last week as recognition for his magnificent 2024/25 campaign, in which the France winger scored 35 goals.

How Dembele would have loved to come up against the Catalans, the club he left in 2023 after six years in which he showed moments of brilliance but struggled for consistency – and with injuries.

The 28-year-old could have taken on Lamine Yamal, the teenager who he pipped to the Ballon d'Or award but who did win the Kopa Trophy for the best player in the world last season aged under 21.

But Dembele is still recovering from a thigh injury picked up on international duty with France at the beginning of the month, and is not expected back for at least another couple of weeks.

"It is going well. I will be back very soon," Dembele told French television after taking the acclaim of the PSG support with the Ballon d'Or trophy following Saturday's 2-0 win against Auxerre.

Coach Luis Enrique has also been missing Desire Doue, the thrilling 20-year-old attacker who finished second to Yamal in the Kopa Trophy ranking – he has not played since suffering a calf injury on France duty at the same time as Dembele.

Then there is centre-back and captain Marquinhos and all-action Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves, who are nursing thigh and hamstring injuries respectively.

Playmaker Vitinha, third in the Ballon d'Or, came off before halftime at the weekend while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was withdrawn at the interval.

PSG's hope is that both players were taken off early enough to prevent any lasting damage, but suddenly Luis Enrique's options are being drastically reduced.

"We have to stay positive because we need to be able to manage this situation," the coach, a former Barcelona player and manager, said on Saturday after the win against Auxerre.

"Paris Saint-Germain are not the only team with injuries. It is the case for every team with such an intense calendar."

TOO MANY GAMES CATCHING UP

The Parisians played 65 games during 2024/25, in a season spanning 11 months. That included 17 matches in the Champions League and seven in the Club World Cup, where their marathon campaign concluded with a 3-0 loss to Chelsea in mid-July.

It seems the effort is catching up with individual players: Dembele has played 99 games for PSG since signing just over two years ago, and 20 for France over the same period.

Vitinha has made 113 appearances for PSG since the start of 2023/24 and 21 more for Portugal.

For PSG's star right-back Achraf Hakimi the figure over the same time is 131 games between club and country – and he has the Africa Cup of Nations coming up this season as well as the World Cup next year.

Luis Enrique needs to give these players more of a rest, and figures within football insist too many games damages the product.

"We think club owners are beginning to realise that this is bad for business," pointed out Alex Phillips, the secretary general of FifPro, last week.

A Champions League showdown between the Spanish champions and the reigning French and European champions is the sort of stage on which the newly-crowned best player on the planet should be featuring.

Instead PSG may need to dig deep into their resources, although their squad depth is being exposed as perhaps not as strong as it needed to be.

Despite that Luis Enrique's side head to Catalonia off the back of a big 4-0 win against Atalanta in their European opener a fortnight ago.

In any case, a defeat here may not prove to be a big setback in terms of achieving their main goal of reaching the knockout stage – after all, there will be more than enough games remaining in the league phase.

Lyon continued their fine start to the season with a 1-0 win at Lille on Sunday, sending them level on 15 points with champions Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1.

Summer signing from Liverpool, Tyler Morton, struck early to give Paulo Fonseca's side their fifth win from six outings to start the campaign.

They stay second on goal difference with PSG, who won 2-0 at home to Auxerre on Saturday.

A second consecutive defeat of the season leaves Lille sixth on 10 points.

The decisive moment at Stade Pierre-Mauroy came in the 13th minute when Morton nodded home from Nicolas Tagliafico's pinpoint cross.

The hosts fought to force their way back into the match but were unable to beat an in-form Dominik Greif in the Lyon goal.

Lille boss Bruno Genesio took his frustrations out on a water bottle, sending it close to the fourth official, and was dismissed from the touchline inside the final 20 minutes.

The Slovakian shotstopper then made an excellent save from Osame Sahraoui's powerful effort in the 90th minute to ensure Lyon claimed all three points in the north of France.

BREST BEAT ANGERS

Elsewhere, Brest climbed to ninth with a 2-0 win against 17th-placed Angers, while bottom-side Metz played out a goalless draw at home to Le Havre.

Nice drew 1-1 against Paris FC, with Jean-Philippe Krasso's 88th-minute penalty earning a point for the Parisians after Sofiane Diop's first-half opener for the hosts.

Later, Rennes welcome Lens in the final match of the day.