Latest news with #post-Mbappe
India Today
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
After PSG & Spurs, RCB vs PBKS could crown a season of stunning firsts
June 3, 2025 — Narendra Modi Stadium, AhmedabadIt's a final that few saw coming at the start of the season, yet one that now perfectly encapsulates the tone of 2025. For over 18 years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings have been two of the IPL's most popular franchises — massive fan bases, big-name players, and unforgettable moments. But never the changes tonight. As these two long-suffering teams clash in the IPL 2025 final, one will finally shed their reputation as perennial underachievers. For Virat Kohli, now in his 18th season with RCB, the stakes are especially personal. Despite leading from the front across eras and scoring an all-time record 973 runs in 2016, the IPL title has always eluded him. Tonight could be his long-awaited moment of this story of breakthrough glory isn't exclusive to the IPL. Across sports, 2025 has been a year of firsts — a year where teams and players finally reversed years of heartbreak and found silverware that had always danced just out of RCB or PBKS — One Will Finally RiseBoth Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings have featured in multiple playoff runs, and each has appeared in IPL finals before — RCB thrice (2009, 2011, and 2016), PBKS once (2014). Yet, neither has been able to finish the time, though, one it's Kohli finally lifting the IPL trophy, or a revamped Punjab Kings side completing a dramatic turnaround season, tonight's result will put an end to one of the longest droughts in T20 franchise cricket First-Time Glory Across EuropeadvertisementPSG Conquer Europe at LastAfter years of heavy investment and near misses, Paris Saint-Germain finally won the UEFA Champions League in 2025. What makes the triumph even more remarkable is that it came in their first post-Mbappe season. Under Luis Enrique, the team reinvented itself, playing as a cohesive unit rather than a collection of stars. Their emphatic 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final wasn't just historic — it was symbolic of a team breaking free from its Hotspur End 17-Year WaitIt wasn't just PSG. Tottenham Hotspur, long mocked for falling short at the final hurdle, lifted the Europa League by defeating Manchester United. It was their first major trophy since 2008 with the Carling Cup and a long-overdue payoff for a team that had often threatened but never delivered. For fans who'd grown used to hope turning into heartbreak, it was finally a reason to Finally Lifts a League TitleMeanwhile, Harry Kane, having departed Spurs for Bayern Munich in pursuit of trophies, had to wait longer than expected. But this season, he finally lifted his first Bundesliga title, ending a personal drought that spanned 19 years with his boyhood club and a turbulent debut season in Germany. For one of football's modern greats, enough and considered one of the best forwards of the game, 2025 brought long-deserved validation to his Palace Create HistoryIn a stunning FA Cup final, Crystal Palace upset Manchester City to claim the first major trophy in their history. For a club often seen as a mid-table mainstay, the result was groundbreaking. It wasn't just about winning — it was about doing it against one of the most dominant teams in English Domestic Drought EndsAnother club that finally broke their silverware curse was Newcastle United. Eddie Howe's side lifted the Carabao Cup, defeating Manchester City in the final and ending a 70-year wait for domestic honours. The last time Newcastle had tasted domestic success was in 1955 — which was also with an FA Cup win. This triumph was a full-circle moment for one of those clubs which have defined English football over the Hobart Hurricanes Break ThroughIt took 12 seasons, but the Hobart Hurricanes finally won their first Big Bash League title, defeating the Sydney Thunder in the final. Mitchell Owen played the innings of a lifetime, smashing 104 off 42 balls, rewriting the BBL record books, and ensuring Hobart no longer stood among the winless. Now, only the Melbourne Stars remain without a BBL Year of Release and RewardFrom Ahmedabad to Paris, London to Hobart, 2025 has been a year where persistence has finally been rewarded. The narratives that once defined these teams and athletes — of being the ones who always fell short — have been updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don't miss a moment! IN THIS STORY#IPL 2025
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Champions League Final: Can Ousmane Dembele do for PSG what Kylian Mbappe couldn't?
Almost a year has passed since Kylian Mbappe left Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for Real Madrid. The Frenchman leaving PSG without a Champions League title remains an unfulfilled dream, both for the player and the club. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now PSG haven't won the Champions League in their 54-year existence but are just one win away from changing that. In the UEFA Champions League final set to be played at the Munich Arena on Saturday, the Parisiens will have yet another shot at European glory as they take on Inter Milan. Luis Enrique's post-Mbappe PSG squad hasn't been constructed around stars, rather a well-oiled unit that has been delivering on all fronts. While the team does not rely on one individual to lead the lines, a Frenchman in their ranks has often been the point of difference. , in his second season at the club, has been an indispensable part of the setup. As they challenge for European silverware, the former Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund winger knows the summit clash carries a deeper personal significance. In his 10 seasons as a professional, Dembele has played in the Champions League in nine of them. While he's no stranger to starry nights, he will play his first-ever final on Saturday, and could possibly make it his, and his team's, first continental triumph. Poll Will PSG finally win their first Champions League title this season? Yes, they will triumph! No, they will fall short again. Under Enrique, the 28-year-old has developed into being more than a traditional winger. Throughout the campaign, the No. 10 has been given the freedom to roam the pitch, create chaos in midfield and orchestrate chances. His redefined role has paid dividends: 8 of his 20 Champions League goals have come this season. His goal in the first leg of the semi-final against Arsenal remains one of the most important moments in PSG's road to the final. Sai Sudharsan: 'County stints reminded me that basics are most important part of batting' The France international has 32 goals in all competitions this season, including joint-best 21 in Ligue 1. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But it's not just about the goals — it's about how he's scoring them. Since being repositioned as PSG's primary attacking outlet, his shot conversion rate has gone from 13.5% to 26.7%. 'We always try to give our all, especially as we have the ambition here at Paris Saint-Germain to win this trophy for the first time', said the winger-turned-striker on the final. His transformation is nearly complete. A Champions League triumph would mark the culmination of his journey — from an inconsistent, injury-prone winger to a confident, clinical goalscorer. As PSG stand on the verge of European glory, only for the second time, can the once injury-prone, inconsistent and question-marked winger do what Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., Mbappe, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a long line of stars couldn't? Only time will tell.
Arab News
04-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
PSG coach Enrique warns his players about Liverpool's ‘fighter jets' in attack
PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique is worried about the speed of Liverpool's 'fighter jets' in attack and warned his team not to give the ball away in their Champions League clash. PSG host six-time champion Liverpool in the first leg of the round of 16 at Parc des Princes on Wednesday. 'Liverpool has one of the best counter attacks in Europe so we will try to keep the ball and be careful not to suffer too much from transitions,' Enrique said Tuesday at a pre-match news conference. 'They have three fighter jets in attack and it's not easy to stop these fighter jets.' Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career with 30 goals in 39 games, and is well supported by Luis Díaz and Cody Gakpo in attack. 'We are facing the team that has played the best football in the group stage. They were the most consistent side,' Enrique said. 'Arne Slot has done a great job. He has created a near-perfect team, which knows how to defend, knows how to press, which can attack either by holding the ball or accelerating.' In a rare admission, Enrique conceded that Liverpool may have the slight edge. 'Liverpool is also able to create danger without the ball, maybe they don't need it as much we do,' he said. 'To impose ourselves we generally need to keep the ball.' However, PSG are on a 22-game unbeaten run since a 1-0 loss at Bayern Munich in late November. PSG have won their past 10 matches with an eye-watering 40 goals scored in a successfully re-shaped attack since Kylian Mbappe's departure to Real Madrid. 'The advantage of our forward is that they can play in every position,' said Enrique, whose clever positional switch has allowed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola to play alongside Ousmane Dembele in attack. PSG have much better teamwork in the post-Mbappe era, with Dembele scoring a career-best 26 goals in 33 games. The speedy 19-year-old forward Desire Doue and sharpshooter Gonçalo Ramos provide a threat from the bench. Enrique hopes Liverpool's players will be rattled in Paris. 'It's difficult for our opponents to play at Parc des Princes with the pressure,' he said. 'The atmosphere is extraordinary and I hope we can profit from it.' However, Liverpool's Anfield stadium is one of the toughest places for a return leg, as Lionel Messi's Barcelona found out in the 2019 semifinals, losing 4-0 after winning 3-0 at home. Both sides are dominating their respective leagues. Unbeaten PSG are coasting toward a record-extending 13th French title. Liverpool are closing in on a record-equaling 20th Premier League title, while a seventh Champions League crown would move them level with AC Milan in second place outright. PSG lost the only Champions League final in their history 1-0 to Bayern in 2020 in the Coronavirus-shortened campaign.
