Latest news with #Ballond'Or
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Benzema leads Al-Ittihad to Saudi Cup win and domestic double
JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad's Karim Benzema scored twice to lead his side to a 3-1 victory over Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Cup final on Friday as they completed the domestic double. Laurent Blanc's side dominated the game to win the cup for the 10th time, while Al-Qadsiah finished the game with 10 men after Ezequiel Fernandez was sent off in the 81st minute. Moussa Diaby nearly put Al-Ittihad ahead but missed a chance in the 21st minute. Al-Qadsiah's former Spain defender Nacho escaped conceding a penalty when the ball touched his hand, but the referee didn't award a spot kick despite a VAR check in the 32nd minute. Benzema opened the scoring for the Saudi Pro League champions, using his chest to convert Steven Bergwijn's precise cross 11 minutes before the interval. Houssem Aouar made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute by following up after Koen Casteels saved a header from Benzema. Al-Qadsiah's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reduced the deficit from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time. Benzema, who won the SPL Player of the Season, hit the bar after the break, but Al-Ittihad were more cautious as they looked to maintain their lead. Al-Ittihad keeper Predrag Rajkovic saved Aubameyang's shot in the 80th minute and Al-Qadsiah suffered a big blow when Ezequiel Fernandez received a second yellow card, forcing them to play with 10 men for the final minutes. Then 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Benzema scored his side's third goal, firing in Diaby's low cross in stoppage time, before Aubameyang's shot hit the woodwork. --REUTERS
NDTV
an hour ago
- Sport
- NDTV
PSG Will Handle Pressure In Champions League Final, Says Skipper Marquinhos
Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos is confident the French side will cope with the pressure in Saturday's Champions League final against Inter Milan and put years of disappointment in the competition behind them by finally winning the trophy. "The club has learnt as time has gone on about how to deal with games like these, what it needs to do," the Brazilian defender told reporters in Munich on the eve of the game. "A lot of things have changed at PSG since I arrived. There have been great times, difficult times, but tomorrow (Saturday) we have a glorious opportunity to do something remarkable and historic for this club. "It will be my second final and I don't want to let the opportunity pass us by." PSG's second Champions League final comes five years after a narrow defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich behind closed doors in Lisbon during the pandemic. Marquinhos, who is the elder statesman in the current PSG side at 31, is one of only two players who featured in the 2020 final and are still at the club -- the other is fellow centre-back Presnel Kimpembe, now a peripheral figure. At PSG since 2013, Marquinhos has also been involved in some humiliating Champions League defeats, not least the infamous collapse against Barcelona in 2017, when they won 4-0 at home in the first leg only to lose 6-1 in the return. Luis Enrique was the Barcelona coach then, and is now on the PSG bench, in charge of a vibrant young side. "We have a coach who is exceptional and has prepared us really well. Even if we are a very young team you can see how ready we are for these games," Marquinhos added. "I think there is a whole mix of things which have come together to bring us here in the best condition possible -- the club has grown, the incredible coach we have, the quality players who have come in. I think that is why we are here today." PSG lost in the semis last season before seeing Kylian Mbappe depart for Real Madrid, but without him they have won a domestic league and cup double while also knocking out three Premier League teams -- Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal -- to get to the final. - 'Opportunity to make history' - "Now is the time to get the trophy and bring it home," added Marquinhos. Alongside him was Ousmane Dembele, who has been converted this season from a winger into a lethal striker with 33 goals in all competitions. That has made him a candidate to win the Ballon d'Or. "I am really proud to be here in the final. We have worked so hard," said Dembele, who was sent off when PSG lost 1-0 to Bayern in Munich in the league phase in November. At that point there was a real danger PSG would be eliminated before the knockout stage, but the improvement since has been spectacular. "It wasn't easy at the start of the campaign but we have changed the dynamic in the second half of the season and it is exceptional to be here in Munich for the final. We feel lots of joy even though we are going to take the game very seriously." Coach Luis Enrique has the chance to win his second Champions League title, 10 years after getting his hands on the trophy with Barcelona. Then, as now, he came up against an Italian team in Germany, with Barca defeating Juventus in Berlin. "Now I have 10 years more experience and I will just try to transmit to the players how great an opportunity it is for us to play a Champions League final," said the Spaniard. "We have the opportunity to make history, to do something nobody else has ever done for this club before, but at the same time we also have to manage our emotions so they don't become too much for us. "I think we are prepared, Inter too no doubt, so I think it will be a really great final and of course the aim is to win it." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
PSG will handle pressure in Champions League final, says skipper Marquinhos
MUNICH, GERMANY: Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos is confident the French side will cope with the pressure in Saturday's Champions League final against Inter Milan and put years of disappointment in the competition behind them by finally lifting the trophy. "The club has learnt, over time, how to deal with matches like these and what needs to be done," the Brazilian defender told reporters in Munich on the eve of the match. "A lot has changed at PSG since I arrived. There have been great times and difficult times, but tomorrow (Saturday) we have a glorious opportunity to do something remarkable and historic for this club. "It will be my second final, and I don't want to let the opportunity pass us by." PSG's second Champions League final comes five years after a narrow defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich behind closed doors in Lisbon during the pandemic. Marquinhos, now the elder statesman in the current PSG squad at 31, is one of only two players who featured in the 2020 final and remain at the club – the other is fellow centre-back Presnel Kimpembe, who is now a peripheral figure. Having been at PSG since 2013, Marquinhos has also endured some humiliating Champions League exits, most notably the infamous collapse against Barcelona in 2017, when they won 4–0 at home in the first leg only to lose 6–1 in the return. Luis Enrique, who coached Barcelona on that occasion, is now in charge at PSG, overseeing a vibrant young side. "We have an exceptional coach who has prepared us really well. Even though we're a very young team, you can see how ready we are for matches like these," Marquinhos added. "I think a combination of factors has brought us here in the best possible condition – the growth of the club, the incredible coach we have, and the quality players who have come in. That's why we are here today." PSG were knocked out in the semi-finals last season before seeing Kylian Mbappé depart for Real Madrid, but in his absence they have won a domestic league and cup double, also eliminating three Premier League sides – Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal – en route to the final. "Now is the time to win the trophy and bring it home," added Marquinhos. Alongside him was Ousmane Dembélé, who has been transformed this season from a winger into a prolific striker, netting 33 goals in all competitions – a return that has made him a candidate for the Ballon d'Or. "I'm really proud to be here in the final. We've worked so hard," said Dembélé, who was sent off during PSG's 1–0 defeat to Bayern in Munich in the group stage last November. At that stage, there was a real danger PSG would be eliminated before the knockout rounds, but the turnaround since has been spectacular. "It wasn't easy at the start of the campaign, but we've changed the dynamic in the second half of the season. It's incredible to be here in Munich for the final. We're filled with joy, even though we're approaching the match with utmost seriousness." Coach Luis Enrique has the chance to win his second Champions League title, a decade after lifting the trophy with Barcelona. Then, as now, he faced Italian opposition in Germany, with Barça defeating Juventus in Berlin. "Now I have 10 years more experience, and I'll simply try to convey to the players what a fantastic opportunity this is for us to play in a Champions League final," said the Spaniard. "We have the chance to make history – to do something no one has ever done for this club before – but at the same time, we must manage our emotions so they don't overwhelm us.
Business Times
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Times
Benzema leads Al-Ittihad to Saudi Cup win and domestic double
Al-Ittihad's Karim Benzema scored twice to lead his side to a 3-1 victory over Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Cup final on Friday (May 30) as they completed the domestic double. Laurent Blanc's side dominated the game to win the cup for the 10th time, while Al-Qadsiah finished the game with 10 men after Ezequiel Fernandez was sent off in the 81st minute. Moussa Diaby nearly put Al-Ittihad ahead but missed a chance in the 21st minute. Al-Qadsiah's former Spain defender Nacho escaped conceding a penalty when the ball touched his hand, but the referee didn't award a spot kick despite a VAR check in the 32nd minute. Benzema opened the scoring for the Saudi Pro League champions, using his chest to convert Steven Bergwijn's precise cross 11 minutes before the interval. Houssem Aouar made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute by following up after Koen Casteels saved a header from Benzema. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Al-Qadsiah's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reduced the deficit from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time. Benzema, who won the SPL Player of the Season, hit the bar after the break, but Al-Ittihad were more cautious as they looked to maintain their lead. Al-Ittihad keeper Predrag Rajkovic saved Aubameyang's shot in the 80th minute and Al-Qadsiah suffered a big blow when Ezequiel Fernandez received a second yellow card, forcing them to play with 10 men for the final minutes. Then 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Benzema scored his side's third goal, firing in Diaby's low cross in stoppage time, before Aubameyang's shot hit the woodwork. REUTERS
San Francisco Chronicle
7 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Dembélé's incredible transformation has PSG on the verge of Champions League glory
MUNICH (AP) — Ousmane Dembélé has never been a Ballon d'Or contender. Until this season. The tipping point could come on Saturday night if Dembélé leads Paris Saint-Germain to its first Champions League title. Few people could have imagined at the start of the season matching Dembélé with the annual award for the world's best footballer. Dembélé has always had explosive raw talent. But he showed it only in bursts in an underwhelming six-year spell at Barcelona. That was followed by three goals in 26 Ligue 1 games for PSG last season. This season has seen a major transformation. Dembélé finished Ligue 1 with 21 goals as PSG wrapped up another title. He also chipped in eight in the Champions League to give PSG a second ever shot at the European crown. PSG plays Inter Milan in the final in Munich on Saturday. PSG coach Luis Enrique is credited with finally getting Dembélé to live up to his potential. 'Dembélé has been one of the best players of the season, if not the best one. He scores, he passes, he fights, he defends, and that's the real mentality — that's a leader,' Enrique said on Friday. 'A real leader is the guy who shows with his example the way to go. It's so nice for me to hear Ousmane, to give him confidence, to develop his qualities.' Dembélé showcased his qualities when he starred for Borussia Dortmund over one season after joining from Rennes in 2016. He helped Dortmund to third place in the Bundesliga and scored in the final to help win the 2017 German Cup. That preceded a summer of discontent at Dortmund when Dembélé went on strike to force a transfer to Barcelona. The Catalan club paid 105 million euros (then $125 million) with possible add-ons taking the fee up to 147 million euros for the player. Unfortunately for Dembélé, he never lived up to that price tag. He was plagued by injuries in his first seasons at Barcelona. Though he won three La Liga titles, he could only ever contribute goals in single digits. Early on, he was accused of being unprofessional as he turned up late for training. He seemed to drift through games. Dembélé eventually consolidated himself as one of Barça's key players thanks to his speed and playmaking. But the club was forced to accept a 50-million-euros transfer fee from PSG when he exercised a buyout clause in his contract to leave in 2023. Dembélé found it hard to shine in his first season in Paris, where Kylian Mbappé was the undisputed team star. But when Mbappé left for Real Madrid in the offseason, an opening was presented for Dembélé. However, the new season started as before. Midseason metamorphosis Then in December, Dembélé scored in a 3-1 win over Lyon. He followed with 10 goals in his next five Ligue 1 games, took a break for one game, then scored five in his next four. It was a similar tale in the Champions League. Dembélé was sent off in November when PSG lost at Bayern Munich 1-0. He returned a different player, scoring as PSG came from two goals down to beat Manchester City 4-2, then grabbing a hat trick against Stuttgart, then two more goals at Stade Brest. 'I've been able to kick things up a notch. The team has also been able to up the ante,' Dembélé said. 'I'm delighted with everything that we've done to get here … especially since January, we really had a change of mindset.' He scored or set up a teammate in each of his last five Champions League appearances as PSG saw off Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal to reach the final. Who's that player? Dembélé said a difference-maker was a good talk with Luis Enrique when he took over the team in 2023. He felt trust from the Spanish coach to play in the central No. 9 position. 'It's a position that I enjoy playing,' Dembélé said. 'It's about creating uncertainty for the opponent. Sometimes you can be in front of the defensive line. Sometimes you're playing behind them. Sometimes it's just about driving them crazy, really.' ___
