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TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
No Mbappé, no problem as Enrique completes PSG transformation with a bang
When Luis Enrique claimed in early 2024 that Paris St Germain would be better without Kylian Mbappé, many dismissed it as arrogance or deflection. Fifteen months later, after PSG's first Champions League triumph — a jaw-dropping 5-0 steamrollering of Inter Milan in Saturday's final in Munich — the Spanish coach's bold prediction looks less like provocation and more like prophecy. The victory marked the culmination of a profound transformation, from a club defined by star power to one shaped by structure, tactical clarity and collective belief. Luis Enrique's second season at the helm has delivered what eluded his predecessors — not just a European title, but a new identity for PSG with the youngest squad in the last 16 of the competition, featuring French teenager Desire Doue, who made a decisive impact in Saturday's final. Kings of Europe 👑 Luis Enrique goes where no other PSG manager could 👏👏 #SSUCL #UCLfinal — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 31, 2025 Mbappé's departure to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 was expected to leave a void as the striker had been the club's leading scorer for six consecutive seasons and a global face of their ambition. Without him, pundits questioned whether PSG could remain relevant at the highest level of European competition. They eventually became the second French club to win the European Cup after Olympique de Marseille in 1993. Early results this season seemed to confirm those doubts. The team managed only one win in their first five Champions League group-stage matches, falling to 26th place out of 36 in the league-phase standings. A 1-0 loss at Bayern Munich in November left the team on the brink of early elimination and Luis Enrique facing intense criticism for his tactical decisions and squad selections. PSG finally have their hands on the #UCL trophy 🥹🏆 #UCLFinal | #SSUCL — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 31, 2025 'You cannot understand,' he then quipped at a reporter questioning his tactics and method. Behind the scenes, Luis Enrique stayed resolute. He said he had gathered the players and staff for a key internal meeting. 'We are one of the best teams in Europe,' he insisted, explaining the problem was not talent, but execution. The coach demanded an immediate improvement in their intensity, even threatening to resign if the standard in training didn't improve. In January, PSG hosted Manchester City in a must-win clash and found themselves 2-0 down. What followed was a stunning 4-2 comeback in 30 minutes that transformed the club's season and became a symbolic turning point. There's no feeling in football like winning the Champions League 🥹🏆 #UCLFinal | #SSUCL — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 31, 2025 From that point on, PSG were nearly flawless. A 4-1 win in Stuttgart secured progression, followed by knockout victories over Brest, Liverpool (on penalties at Anfield), Aston Villa, and Arsenal. Unlike in recent years, the team did not buckle under pressure, holding firm in hostile environments and playing with an authority and self-belief that had long evaded the club in Europe. Ousmane Dembele had his best season, scoring 32 goals in all competitions while Doue became a new star for the club, setting up one and scoring two in a stunningly one-sided final. Gianluigi Donnarumma, once a point of weakness, produced decisive saves throughout the campaign and January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added versatility and energy to a system that rewarded effort over ego. Discipline, long elusive at PSG, has become a hallmark. When Dembele was late to training ahead of a Champions League match at Arsenal, Luis Enrique left him out of the squad. PSG lost 2-0, but the coach's authority was affirmed. 'That was my best decision of the season,' he later said. And Dembele returned transformed into a formidable forward after years spent being a poster boy for unfulfilled potential. Saturday's final showcased everything Luis Enrique had instilled. PSG showed control, confidence and their high pressing proved too much to handle for Inter. The title ends a 14-year wait for Qatar Sports Investments, who bought the club in 2011 with the stated aim of dominating Europe. That dream is now reality — not with a galaxy of stars, but with a system built to last. Luis Enrique did not just win the Champions League. He reshaped Paris St Germain into something new and as he once claimed, something better.
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Doue dazzles as PSG humble Inter 5-0 to win Champions League final
Desire Doue scored twice to inspire Paris St Germain to their first European Cup triumph with an emphatic 5-0 win over Inter Milan in a totally one-sided Champions League final on Saturday. After losing the final to Bayern Munich in 2020, Luis Enrique's PSG side, who teetered on the brink of elimination in the league phase this season, finally claimed the trophy their big-spending Qatari owners have craved. PSG put on a masterclass which the more experienced Inter side had no answer to, scoring twice in the opening 20 minutes through former Inter defender Achraf Hakimi and Doue. The 19-year-old Doue was on target again in the 63rd minute, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored 10 minutes later and substitute Senny Mayulu netted three minutes from time to seal the biggest winning margin in a Champions League final. Before kickoff the Italian fans sang "There's Only Inter", the club's anthem, but on the pitch their side went missing and PSG ran riot to secure a richly deserved win. There's no feeling in football like winning the Champions League 🥹🏆 #UCLFinal | #SSUCL — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 31, 2025 PSG bossed the game from the start, maintaining possession with their slick passing, every player constantly searching for an opening, which they found in the 12th minute when Vitinha played a pass into Doue in the box. Inter defenders appealed for offside but Federico Dimarco played the PSG man onside and the youngster kept his cool to roll the ball across goal and hand Hakimi the simplest of tap-ins. The second came eight minutes later from a quick PSG counter which found Ousmane Dembele on the left wing. Dembele drove forward before floating the ball to the far side and Doue had time to control the ball on his chest and his shot took a deflection off Dimarco to beat the wrong-footed Yann Sommer. Is there a hotter prospect in Europe right now than Désiré Doué? 👀🔥 📺 Stream #UCLFinal on DStv: — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 31, 2025 PSG killed off the game with a third goal when Vitinha slid the ball through to Doue in the area and the 19-year-old coolly slipped the ball past Sommer. Inter were shell-shocked but things only got worse. Dembele's defence-splitting pass from his own half sent Kvaratskhelia haring away before beating Sommer at his near post, a goal which brought the PSG bench, including Luis Enrqiue, onto the pitch as they knew this game was all over.
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Palmer is Chelsea's spark again in Conference League success
Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer's quiet second half of the season produced one goal in 22 games and a handful of assists but when they needed his creativity and guile the playmaker delivered a masterful performance to help them win the Conference League. Chelsea trailed Real Betis 1-0 at halftime in the final on Wednesday having been subdued in the opening 45 minutes by the energy and pressing game of their opponents. Chelsea needed a way back and Palmer provided two perfect assists in five minutes to swing the momentum in their favour. It was a quick-fire double blow from which Betis could not recover as Chelsea romped to a 4-1 win. There's another European trophy on its way to Stamford Bridge 😏🏆 #UECL | #SSUECL — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 28, 2025 The England midfielder fashioned a superb cross from the right that was perfectly placed for Enzo Fernandez to head home, before his quick feet and movement shook off a defender and created the space to cross for Nicolas Jackson to make it 2-1. 'We picked up the intensity and put in a good performance in the second half,' Palmer said. 'I was sick of getting the ball and just going backwards and sideways. 'The first [goal] there was a bit of space and I saw Enzo running. Second one, same again. I feel like we showed good character again to make the comeback.' His contribution is certainly appreciated by teammates. Enzo Fernández gets the Chelsea fans off their seats 🔵🔥 📺 Stream #UECL on DStv: — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 28, 2025 'If you saw what he did today it was crazy. Two [assists for] goals that completely changed the game. That's what he does,' Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo said. Palmer's only goal since mid-January was a late spot-kick against Liverpool, but his ability to find the right pass, or pick a moment to up the tempo, makes him a man for the big occasion. The 23-year-old is famously short on words in interviews, but certainly not on talent and influence within this young Chelsea squad. If they are to progress and challenge for the Premier League title, he is the player manager Enzo Maresca will build the team around. On a frenzied night in Wroclaw, when cool heads and quality were needed, Palmer showed just why. 'The bad run he had this season is going to make him a better player, no doubt. In the last third, he can decide games with a goal or an assist. And the two assists were very nice,' Maresca said.
TimesLIVE
26-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Sundowns coach Cardoso deserves Coach of the Season award: Mngqithi
Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi says his successor at Mamelodi Sundowns, Miguel Cardoso, deserves to win the Betway Premiership Coach of the Season award. Mngqithi, who parted ways with Downs in December to make way for Cardoso, also tipped the Pretoria club's Brazilian star Lucas Ribeiro to make a clean sweep of the players' awards. Cardoso replaced Mngqithi at Chloorkop seven games into the Premiership. The Portuguese coach steered the Brazilians to their eighth league title on the trot, registering 18 wins with two defeats and one draw from 21 league outings. Ribeiro topped the league's scoring charts with 16 goals, two ahead of teammate Iqraam Rayners, who, according to Mngqithi, should be the closest challenger to the Brazilian. Listen to noise 🧏♂️ A packed Loftus is different, Lucas Ribeiro's goal had the whole stadium in a frenzy. #TotalEnergiesCAFCL | #SSDiski — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 26, 2025 'For me, I'd give it [Coach of the Season] to Cardoso because I think the team [Sundowns] has been strong,' Mngqithi, winner of the award with co-coach Rulani Mokwena in 2021-2022, said. 'The team has lost fewer matches [three] and has conceded less [just 13 goals] — they've also scored more than any other team [65 goals]. If you don't give it to him [Cardoso], why not? He deserves it. 'I think Lucas deserves it [Player of the Season]. Iqraam is also close, but in my opinion Lucas is probably at the top of the list to collect almost everything.' Last Tuesday, the league confirmed the postponement of the end-of-season awards. 𝐑𝐀𝐖 𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: This Sundowns fan was in disbelief as Walid Elkarti scored a crucial away goal for Pyramids seconds from the final whistle #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #SSDiski — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 25, 2025 'The PSL awards ceremony has traditionally been held in June. However, due to Sundowns' participation in the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup [in the US in June and July] and the 2024-2025 Caf Champions League final [over last and the coming weekends], the league has decided to postpone this season's ceremony,' it said. 'The league will communicate the new date and further details of the awards ceremony [later].' Sundowns were held to a 1-1 draw by Egyptian side Pyramids FC in the Champions League final first leg at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with the second leg in Cairo on Sunday (7pm SA time). In the Club World Cup, the Tshwane giants are in Group F with German giants Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense of Brazil and South Korean side Ulsan. The Club World Cup starts on June 15 and concludes on July 13. Sundowns face Ulsan in their Group F opener at Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando on June 18 and Dortmund in Cincinnati three days later. They wrap up their group phase campaign against Fluminense in Miami on June 25.
TimesLIVE
13-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Pirates turn it on at Orlando to bid ‘padre' Jose Riveiro farewell in style
On an emotional night where they were bidding farewell to their ' padre ', Orlando Pirates produced a sensational performance over hapless Golden Arrows befitting the occasion. They stepped it up in style with a domineering 3-0 Betway Premiership victory in the last match for outgoing coach Jose Riveiro at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night, thanks to goals from Tshegofatso Mabasa in the 16th minute, Bandile Shandu (61st) and Kabelo Dlamini (66th). Riveiro, who won five cup competitions in three years, has been granted an early release from his contract to join a new club and this was the last time he sat on the bench, with Mandla Ncikazi set to take over their remaining four matches. The players went out to do their warm-ups wearing T-shirts with messages of appreciation. The fans were not to be outdone as they displayed a huge banner in the west stand screaming: ' Muchas gracias padre Jose Riveiro por siempre una leyenda. ' Jose Riveiro's final message to the Orlando Pirates fans 🥹🎙️ #BetwayPrem | #SSDiski — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 13, 2025 From Spanish, the banner translated to: 'Thank You father Jose Riveiro, always a legend.' Riveiro will always have a special place in the hearts of the Buccaneers for bringing stability, trophies, improving players and most importantly giving opportunities to young players. In this match, Riveiro handed a further debut to captain to Bucs' DStv Diski challenge side Cemran Dansin, 17, who replaced Dlamini in the 75th minute. It was a good win for second-placed Pirates, but it is almost certain to not have an affect on the title race, which is almost won by Mamelodi Sundowns. The Brazilians need a point from their last two matches — and on form seem highly likely to get at least that against Chippa United at Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Wednesday night (7.30pm) — to be crowned champions for the eighth successive season. The Jose Riveiro era comes to an end 🎬 #BetwayPrem | #SSDiski — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 13, 2025 For Arrows, the defeat leaves them in danger as they are second-from-bottom on the standings and may be dragged into the dreaded play-offs at the end of the season. Riveiro made three changes to the team that lost the Nedbank Cup final 2-1 to Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday with Shandu replacing Deano van Rooyen in defence. In the middle of the park, Riveiro showed faith in young midfielder Simphiwe Selepe, who replaced Thalente Mbatha, and Dlamini came in for Patrick Maswanganyi. In attack, Mabasa was preferred for Evidence Makgopa, who scored Bucs' only goal against Chiefs. Rele's skill, Mabasa's finish 😮💨 The Bucs want to give Jose Riveiro the best send-off ✅ 📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 13, 2025 Visiting coach Manqoba Mngqithi went with his tried and tested of players like Isima Watenga, Ayanda Jiyane, Velemseni Ndwandwe, Brando Theron and Nduduzo Sibiya. Pirates opened the scoring when Mabasa found the back of the net from close range after Relebohile Mofokeng dribbled past Theron in the box. Mabasa, not a regular starter this season, ran more than half of the pitch to celebrate with Riveiro and the rest of the technical staff. Pirates were turning it on and a few minutes later Shandu was unlucky as his shot struck the upright after it deflected off an Arrows defender as the scored remained 1-0. Arrows responded with attack of their own that ended with Sibiya's shot striking upright with Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine beaten. Pirates increased their lead when Shandu forced the ball into the net from a tight angle. Dlamini made it 3-0 with a delightful free-kick to effectively end the game as a contest.
