logo
Luis Enrique applauds keeper Chevalier after dream PSG debut

Luis Enrique applauds keeper Chevalier after dream PSG debut

Reuters2 days ago
Aug 14 (Reuters) - Lucas Chevalier impressed on his debut as Paris St Germain's new first-choice goalkeeper on Wednesday in their Super Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur, drawing praise from manager Luis Enrique.
The 23-year-old former Lille keeper was thrust into the spotlight after Luis Enrique made it clear earlier this week that Gianluigi Donnarumma had been axed from the squad, prompting the Italian international to begin searching for a new club.
Chevalier, who arrived at the club on Sunday, earned praise from teammates and fans alike after making several acrobatic saves, including Micky van de Ven's attempt during the penalty shootout.
"We relied on Lucas ... he just arrived, but it was time for him to show off. We're very happy because he made it," Luis Enrique told reporters after PSG beat Tottenham 4-3 on penalties.
"This is PSG, you have to know how to handle the pressure, Lucas is a top-class goalkeeper, he's capable of it. He did his job, welcome to him with a trophy."
Luis Enrique admitted that the publicity surrounding Donnarumma was far from ideal for the club.
"Everyone was talking about the situation; his (Lucas's position) wasn't easy, but he showed great character," Luis Enrique added.
"It's a bit of a script: he comes in and saves a penalty. It's a good start for him, we're happy," teammate Ousmane Dembele said.
PSG will start their Ligue 1 campaign at Nantes on Sunday.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Just imagine what Liverpool will be like when Arne Slot's rebuild is complete
Just imagine what Liverpool will be like when Arne Slot's rebuild is complete

Telegraph

time2 hours ago

  • Telegraph

Just imagine what Liverpool will be like when Arne Slot's rebuild is complete

Imagine what Liverpool will be like when they are the finished product. It is a statement which could have been applied for the past 12 months. There will come a point during his reign when Arne Slot considers his conquests and truly believes he has reached the pinnacle with a fully formed, perfectly balanced team. If it takes successive league championships to attain such a moment of satisfaction, so be it. If anything, the addition of four new outfield players has made Liverpool even more of a team in transition than when they began defying the odds a year ago. Liverpool's challengers spent the first seven months of last season convincing themselves Slot's restructured team were too flawed, too fragile in the event of suffering injuries, and too prone to scrapping their way to three points to sustain a title charge. By March, they all realised they had underestimated Slot as his side galloped away, the Dutch coach's ability to navigate a route to glory ensuring the early-season confidence of others dissipated as the Anfield bubble refused to burst. One can imagine those same emotions in north London, Stamford Bridge and the blue side of Manchester seeing Slot's side claim an opening-night win. It is inconceivable they will defend their crown playing as open as this, the game more reminiscent of the early years of Jürgen Klopp's roller-coaster rides than the stylistic, possession game that Slot evolved in his debut campaign. The most withering criticism that could be directed at Liverpool when they squandered a two-goal lead was to query if Slot wanted to fill the void left by Ange Postecoglou's demise at Tottenham Hotspur. To lose a goal on the counter-attack when 2-0 up could be considered unfortunate; conceding two in such a fashion was rank stupidity. Rich in entertainment, low on tactical sense. Slot, the manager hailed in his early months for his canny substitutions, was also indulging in odd experiments such as deciding holding midfielder Wataru Endo can play right-back (a mercifully short-lived expedition). And with the utmost respect to match-winner Federico Chiesa, even he seemed to have been sent on in hope more than expectation as the game was in danger of drifting entirely Bournemouth's way. Yet this team and this stadium have an uncanny habit of making it all seem scripted, as if a point needed to be reiterated that their slight imperfections are outweighed by their almighty strengths. 'Winning the league here will be more impressive than beating Bournemouth, but those last six minutes… wow,' said Slot, as players and supporters formed a familiar, powerful union. Liverpool's hunger for more silverware is insatiable. When the moments of truth come, the match-winners are queuing up, in this case Chiesa. The Italian has been more of a lucky charm than a stellar signing. It would be no surprise if his game-changing volley was a farewell gift if the right offer materialises before the end of the month, although Slot may be inclined to keep him for his ability to prompt the Kop into vibrancy. Chiesa needs only to warm-up to get the crowd going. This winner cements his cult status. As the chant of 'champions' raised the Anfield decibel level to somewhere akin to last May's title party, it was easy to flirt with the clichés. Elite teams always find a way, even if when Antoine Semenyo equalised for Bournemouth it was they who looked the more accomplished team and most likely to collect three points. Winning in the 90th minute is what title-holders tend to do, the hands of the clock seemingly existing to usher them towards the last, meaningful contributions before applauding the victorious players off. That will not alter the fact Slot has problems to solve, the introduction of Florian Wirtz adding glitz while the absence of the suspended Ryan Gravenberch added a glitch. Wirtz is a symbol of Liverpool's transition. He is so adept at finding space he could be employed by Nasa, and such is the delicacy of his touch, it is rather like he is dribbling with porcelain. But two games into his Liverpool career, the world is awaiting the first spectacular exhibition of his artistry. He is like a ballet dancer building up to his first pirouette. You sense it is coming, but so far there is more anticipation when he takes possession than a final product. Much of this is because of acclimatisation. Wirtz was often in position for a team-mate's pass, but the safer option was chosen. This will alter when the rest of the team realise that Wirtz being shadowed ought not to dissuade them from picking him out, given his ability to receive possession and glide from a marker. Next week's reintroduction of Gravenberch will demonstrate if Liverpool's openness is a minor malfunction, or structural defect. Most likely it is the former. There is so much talent at Slot's disposal, with the promise of more to come, that Liverpool's capacity to thrill should continue without such vulnerability. When they get it right at both ends, they might be the hottest ticket in Europe.

Rodgers urges Celts to move away from bargain buys as boss admits potential doesn't come cheap
Rodgers urges Celts to move away from bargain buys as boss admits potential doesn't come cheap

Daily Mail​

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Rodgers urges Celts to move away from bargain buys as boss admits potential doesn't come cheap

Brendan Rodgers believes Arne Engels is walking proof that Celtic have to invest substantial sums of money even to buy players with potential these days. The Parkhead club have been quiet to date in the summer transfer window with the manager making it clear in recent weeks that there are areas of the team which require strengthening. Despite the lack of investment, Celtic still cruised into the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup with a 4-1 over Falkirk. Afterwards, though, Rodgers cited the example of the Belgian international — a record £11million signing from Augsburg last year — as a reason why they club can't always expect to make first-team players from bargain basement signings. 'His attitude is great,' he added after the comprehensive win. 'He tired a little bit so there was a little bit of looseness towards the last five, 10 minutes. But his quality from his set piece and his general work rate and intensity was great. So, no, he's a boy that gives everything. 'And there's a lot on his shoulders as an expensive player. But we bought potential. The club has bought potential many times. And a lot of them aren't here. 'This is a guy who has potential, but it costs a little bit more. 'He's nowhere near the finished article. We've just had to pay more for potential. You can buy potential at a million quid and two million quid. 'And a lot of the time, it doesn't work. Sometimes it does. I will tell you a lot of time it doesn't. 'But him, we've had to pay a little bit more to get the athleticism, to get the physicality that this team needed. And now I've got great options in there. Guys that are physical, but guys that are technical. So, I don't complain.' Although the deadline for signings players for next week's Champions League play-off against Kairat Almaty has passed, the Northern Irishman remains hopeful that he might yet be able to add two wildcards ahead of Wednesday's first leg at Parkhead. 'Hopefully, it would be great,' he said. 'We've obviously named a squad, but right up until just before the game, we can do that. So that would be really good if we can.' Rodgers was delighted with the way his side dismantled the Premiership newcomers with goals from Daizen Maeda, Alistair Johnston, Dane Murray and a Liam Henderson own goal doing the damage before Kennan Adams scored a spectacular consolation. 'I thought the performance was very, very good from the first whistle,' he said. 'You've seen the hunger in the team and the intensity in the team. The first half we were good with the ball, but not so good without it. 'It gave Falkirk a couple of wee opportunities to break through. We weren't aggressive enough and tight enough. When we correct that at half-time, we really dominated the second half. 'So, yeah, very, very pleased. The goals were excellent and I thought we played really, really well.' Rodgers was delighted for defender Murray who netted his fist Celtic goal on the day he signed a new contact until 2028. 'There's areas of the game that he needs to, obviously, work on,' said the manager. 'But he's six foot four. He's quick. He can take the ball. 'He has a comfort with the ball, which aligns with top players. And he just, again, has to work ion concentration as it's something that's key for defenders. But I really, really like him. 'And that's hence the reason we've tied him down. And I think he's got a great future.'

Article: published on 15 August 2025
Article: published on 15 August 2025

BBC News

time2 hours ago

  • BBC News

Article: published on 15 August 2025

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for his side as they progressed to the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals by beating Falkirk."I thought the performance was very, very good from the first whistle," he said. "You've seen the hunger in the team and the intensity in the team."The first half we were good with the ball but not so good without it. It gave Falkirk a couple of wee opportunities to break through."We weren't aggressive enough and tight enough. When we corrected that at half-time, we really dominated the second half."The goals were excellent and I thought we played really, really well."Overall really pleased. A lot of the players who hadn't played came in and gave great value to the team. We had good variety in attack tonight. We were precise around the box when we needed to be."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store