Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Sergio Rico hopes to return to action "before the season's end, " just four months after a serious horse riding accident. Rico was discharged from a hospital in Seville in August after the severe accident left him in a coma with a traumatic brain injury.
"On September 22, I'll have a new test," Sergio Rico said in a video. "We'll see if the recovery is at the right pace. I hope it will be good news and that the doctor will give me a little more freedom to play sport or something that'll prepare me to return as quickly as possible with PSG."
"That's ultimately what I want and my goal is to be back with the team before the end of the season," he added. Rico was admitted to the Virgen del Rocio hospital on May 28 after an accident involving a horse at a local festival. After several days in a coma, he left the intensive care unit on July 5.
PSG vs Arsenal UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Semi-final Highlights: PSG knockout Arsenal by 2-1 (3-1 agg) to set a date with Inter in final
Get the highlights of PSG vs Arsenal UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Semi-final second leg match at the Parc des Princes in Paris as PSG knocked out Arsenal by 3-1 on aggregate to qualify for their second Champions League final ever.
Hello and welcome to another exciting evening of UEFA Champions League football. This is Koushik Biswas, who will bring you all the updates of the PSG vs Arsenal UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Semi-final second leg match at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
Meanwhile, Arsenal looked good in spells but could not convert their chances to level with PSG at their home. But with only one goal deficit, this game is far from over.
With both teams not tasting European success in their history, they will not want to miss the chance to qualify for the final.
So, sit back and relax as we bring you every minute update of the match. Enjoy the coverage.
LIVE Updates
May 7, 2025, 7:01 PM
LIVE Score!
May 7, 2025, 9:11 PM
Final thoughts!
Arsenal dominated the first 15 minutes, but after that, it was all about PSG at their home.
Luis Enrique has done a tremendous job with PSG and created leaders in different positions.
Donnarumma has been a beast under the post. Hakimi, with 21 goal contributions, is now one of the best. Vitniha, Neves and Marquinhos are one of the best in their positions as well.
Dembele is running for a potential Ballon d'Or finish. So, the credit should go to Enrique for all his efforts.
Arsenal had their chances, but they failed to take them. Saka did score but missed one as well.
So, it will be Inter Milan vs PSG in the final in Munich. Thank you for staying up with us.
Good night, and I will see you on 1st June in the final. Till then, take care and enjoy football.
Arsenal dominated the first 15 minutes of the game. But saves from Donnarumma made sure PSG did not concede any before Fabian Ruiz scored a screamer to hand PSG the lead.
Will Arsenal be able to make a match out of it, like Barcelona did last night?
Or, PSG are heading to Munich?
We'll see that after the break.
May 7, 2025, 7:48 PM
45+1' | Hakimi with the block
Rice and Odegaard linked up with Saka for a portable chance before the first half whistle.
Saka's cross was cleared away by Hakimi.
May 7, 2025, 7:47 PM
45' | 2 minutes added
2 minutes have been added as stoppage time.
May 7, 2025, 7:46 PM
45' | Lewis-Skelly is down
Barcola's powerful shot hit Lewis-Skelly hard. He is down in pain and we have a stoppage.
May 7, 2025, 7:46 PM
44' | Ruiz does the defensive work
Saka went through Mendes, and Rice nearly met with the pass. But, Ruiz was there to clear it out and create another counter attack for PSG.
May 7, 2025, 7:44 PM
41' | Chance for Arsenal
Saka's cross was left alone by Merino, hoping that someone from his team would connect with it in the far post.
But, no red shirt was there to receive the ball.
May 7, 2025, 7:43 PM
41' | Not good enough from Timber
Timber went for a cross from the right, but Pacho was there to clear the ball with a header.
Arsenal are trying but PSG are looking like the team in control.
May 7, 2025, 7:41 PM
Ouucchh!
5 - Since the start of April, no Premier League side has conceded more goals from set plays (excl. pens) in all competitions than Arsenal (5, level with Ipswich Town). Turnabout. pic.twitter.com/3PKwUNxCB8
Almost time for PSG v Arsenal. No Dembele for the hosts with Doue expected to play through the middle. Thomas Partey returns in midfield for the visitors pic.twitter.com/Z3lz3W2Rgl
In the first semi-final, Inter Milan knocked out FC Barcelona by 7-6 in a Champions League classic match. Inter now have qualified for the final for the second time in last three seasons.
Football fans from India can watch the PSG vs Arsenal UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Semi-final second leg match LIVE on Sony Sports Network TV Channels.
Meantime, they can also stream the match LIVE on Sony LIV app and website.
May 7, 2025, 10:13 AM
Match Details
Match: PSG vs Arsenal, UEFA Champions League 2024-25, Semi-final, second leg
Arsenal vs PSG UEFA Champions League 2024-25 semi-final 1st leg Highlights: PSG beat Arsenal for the first time in UCL; Dembele's goal hand them a 1-0 lead from first leg
Read the highlights of Arsenal vs PSG UEFA Champions League 2024-25 semi-final 1st leg match as Osumane Dembele's goal gave them a 1-0 lead going into the second leg.
Hello and welcome everyone to another exiting night of European football. This is Koushik Biswas who will bring you all the latest and real-time updates of the Arsenal vs PSG UEFA Champions League 2024-25 semi-final 1st leg match.
Both teams have looked apart from the rest and created a few records on their way to the semis. So, we can surely expect a great game as both teams look to get the early edge to reach the final.
So, sit back and relax and enjoy the coverage.
LIVE Updates
Apr 29, 2025, 7:01 PM
Final Score
Apr 29, 2025, 8:56 PM
Full time: Arsenal 0-1 PSG
PSG will head into the second leg with a 1-0 goal advantage. Dembele with the lone goal for PSG. Donnarumma was top class for them with a few big saves.
Arsenal had their chances but could not take them. They are behind but not out.
This is the first time PSG have beaten Arsenal in the Champions League.
Full time: Arsenal 0-1 PSG
PSG beat Arsenal for the first time in UEFA Champions League history.
Saka, from the right, made a quick entry in the final third. He gave it to Odegaard, who tried to find someone on the left, but his cross was deflected towards the right and Lewis-Skelly could not win the ball back for them.
Apr 29, 2025, 8:23 PM
63' | Arsenal looking to go from the flank
Arsenal are now finding it hard to go through the middle. Since Rice is not able to play as a No. 8, they are finding it tough to get the momentum going. 25 mins to go!
Apr 29, 2025, 8:20 PM
60' | Great challenge from Saliba
Hakimi was nearly a second way to make an effort from close range. But, Saliba came running from behind to make the challenge.
Apr 29, 2025, 8:16 PM
56' | Save
Big, big save from Donnarumma!
Trossard with a left-footed shot from the left of the box. He also went for the far post after Rice played a swift ball to him. But, Donnarumma was just better to make the save, diving to his left.
Lewis-Skelly found Gabriel Martinelli with a great ball. But Gabriel Martinelli could not find the right spot to beat Donnarumma.
Gabriel Martinelli went for the far post, but Donnarumma was good enough to make the save.
Apr 29, 2025, 7:47 PM
45' | It is getting heated
Another foul from PSG and they are struggling to control the game now.
Apr 29, 2025, 7:46 PM
44' | Yellow card
Yellow card for Hakimi. This time, he does not get away with this. No attempt to play the ball, and he gets the yellow.
Apr 29, 2025, 7:45 PM
43' | Yellow card
Yellow card for Saka for a foul on Mendes on the byline. Saka looks frustrated, as he appealed for a yellow card for Mendes and got the yellow card himself.
Apr 29, 2025, 7:44 PM
41' | Chance for Arsenal
Arsenal are looking great now. But Trossard's effort went straight to Donnarumma
Apr 29, 2025, 7:43 PM
39' | Chance for Arsenal
First big chance of the game for Arsenal. Saka, who had switched sides, chipped in a ball from the left.
But, even a full-stretched Gabriel Martinelli could not reach the ball.
Apr 29, 2025, 7:42 PM
38' | Save from Donnarumma
Saka tries to do a Messi there as he made a quick entry from the right and then went for a left-footed shot. It goes straight to Donnarumma.
Apr 29, 2025, 7:40 PM
37' | No penalty
Arsenal ask for a penalty as Merino is brought down by Neves inside the box.
Neves got to the ball, and it won't be a penalty.
Apr 29, 2025, 7:38 PM
36' | Lewis-Skelly wins another battle
Lewis-Skelly wins another free-kick as Neves fouls him at the edge of the box. Odegaard to take the free-kick.
Apr 29, 2025, 7:37 PM
35' | Ruiz fouls Saka
Arsenal are trying to play around PSG's midfielders. Saka has been playing a bit down and is now brought down by Ruiz.
Top-class finish from the French star. He initialised the attack and then played it wide to Kvaratskhelia. Kvaratskhelia then met Dembele with a cut-back
A top-class left-footed cross volley from Dembele gave the visitors an early lead.
Arsenal 0-1 PSF
Apr 29, 2025, 7:04 PM
Emirates is Buzzing
In seven years covering Arsenal I have never heard the Emirates like this before a game.
11 - For the first time since September 2023, Paris SG have fielded the same starting 11 in two consecutive competitive matches (v Nice last Friday and v Arsenal tonight). Risk? #ARSPSGpic.twitter.com/Es5pu0SZtf
Subs: Matvey Safonov, Arnau Tenas, Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernández, Lucas Beraldo, Kang-in Lee, Senny Mayulu, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Gonçalo Ramos, Bradley Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye.
Apr 29, 2025, 6:07 PM
Arsenal: Lineups
Starting XI: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard.
Subs: Neto, Tommy Setford, Kieran Tierney, Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jack Henry-Francis, Raheem Sterling, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Ismeal Kabia, Ethan Nwaneri.
Apr 29, 2025, 3:34 PM
Arsenal vs PSG: Head-to-head stats
PSG have never won against Arsenal across all the competitions. In 5 matches between the clubs, Arsenal won twice while three matches were drawn.
In the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal and PSG played 3 games between them. Arsenal won once and rest two matches were drawn.
Apr 29, 2025, 3:22 PM
Tonight's Venue | Arsenal Stadium, London
Apr 29, 2025, 3:21 PM
How to watch the match?
Football fans from India can watch the Arsenal vs PSG UEFA Champions League 2024-25 semi-final 1st leg match live on Sony Sports Network TV Channel. They can also live stream the match on Sony LIV App and Website with a paid subscription.
Apr 29, 2025, 3:16 PM
Match Details
Match: Arsenal vs PSG, UEFA Champions League 2024-25, semi-final, 1st leg
Title Race in Top Five European Leagues: What are the equations?
What are the equations in the title race for the top five European leagues? How many points do the leaders need to secure the title? Sportz Point explores this scenario.
European football has gifted us numerous memorable moments and matches this season, and we can expect more to come in the upcoming months.
The top five European Leagues – Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1 have different title chase scenarios as the leagues are entering the final lap, leading the clubs to their fate in the 2024-25 season.
England, Germany, and France have witnessed a one-sided battle for the league title this season, except for Spain and Italy, where the champions might be decided even in the closing matchday this season.
In this article, we will examine the league table scenarios, possible equations for the league leaders to secure the title, and the contention for the continental competitions such as UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for next season.
Premier League
(Image Source | Givemesport)
Liverpool are currently atop the Premier League 2024-25 table, having bagged 73 points in 30 matches. The Reds are edging closer to the title as Arsenal, the second-placed side, dropped points against Everton in a 1-1 stalemate yesterday.
Liverpool have a chance to extend their lead at the top with a win against Fulham this evening, which will see them going 14 points ahead of the Gunners.
The Mikel Arteta-led side has earned 62 points in 31 games so far. As of now, Liverpool only need 11 points from their last eight games to secure the Premier League title for the 20th time in their history.
Liverpool are just four wins away from being crowned Premier League champions.
If it plays out like that, they could win the title at Anfield vs. Spurs then receive guard of honours from both Chelsea and Arsenal 🤯 pic.twitter.com/MVDmpDzRhi
Nottingham Forest have been a surprise entrant for a top-four finish in the Premier League, charging for a UEFA Champions League berth next season. The Forest are now third with 57 points in 31 games – five points clear of the fourth-placed Chelsea.
Fifth-placed Manchester City (51 points in 30 games) and Aston Villa (51 points in 31 games), now sixth, will throw a tough challenge for the Champions League and Europa League berth, whereas seventh-placed Newcastle United (50 points in 29 games) might surpass City and Villa in the race.
Barcelona are currently atop the table with 67 points in 30 matches, four points clear of Real Madrid with 63 points in the same number of games. The title race might go down to the last matchday as these two teams will meet in the fierce El Clasico, scheduled for May 11th, which could decide the potential champions.
Despite failing to take full advantage of Real Madrid’s slip-up, Barcelona remain 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙑𝙔 𝙁𝘼𝙑𝙊𝙍𝙄𝙏𝙀𝙎 to win the LALIGA title - according to @OptaAnalyst 📊📈 pic.twitter.com/uUQ5lu6uir
Fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao (53 points in 29 games) are already five points ahead of Real Betis, now fifth (48 points in 30 games) with one game in hand. Sixth-placed Villareal (47 points in 28 games) could pose a challenge for both of them for UCL and UEL qualification, with two games in hand to match Betis' tally.
LaLiga 2024-25 Table
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Barcelona
30
21
4
5
83
29
54
67
2
Real Madrid
30
19
6
5
63
31
32
63
3
Atlético Madrid
29
16
9
4
47
23
24
57
4
Athletic Club
29
14
11
4
46
24
22
53
5
Real Betis
30
13
9
8
41
37
4
48
6
Villarreal
28
13
8
7
51
39
12
47
7
Celta Vigo
30
12
7
11
44
43
1
43
8
Rayo Vallecano
30
10
10
10
33
35
-2
40
9
Mallorca
30
11
7
12
29
37
-8
40
10
Real Sociedad
29
11
5
13
27
31
-4
38
11
Sevilla
29
9
9
11
33
39
-6
36
12
Getafe
29
9
9
11
26
25
1
36
13
Girona
30
9
7
14
37
46
-9
34
14
Osasuna
29
7
13
9
33
42
-9
34
15
Valencia
30
8
10
12
34
47
-13
34
16
Espanyol
29
8
8
13
31
40
-9
32
17
Alavés
30
7
9
14
33
44
-11
30
18
Leganes
29
6
9
14
28
46
-18
27
19
Las Palmas
29
6
8
15
33
48
-15
26
20
Valladolid
29
4
4
21
19
65
-46
16
Serie A
(Image Source | X)
Serie A 2024-25 might witness one of the greatest showdowns in the title charge in the league's history, as league leaders Inter Milan dropped points in a 2-2 draw against Parma last night.
Defending champions Inter Milan are currently topping the table with 68 points across 31 games, having played one game more than second-placed Napoli, who have accumulated 64 points in 30 games. If Napoli ends this week with a win, the gap between these two teams will be just one, leading the teams to walk the wire in the final matchdays.
🚨 After Inter’s draw vs Parma today, the Serie A title race is wide open!
Napoli and Inter are neck and neck — and with only a few games left, neither side can afford to drop points.
The pressure to finish in the top four have also intensified in Italy. With Inter and Napoli confirmed to finish in the top four, third-placed Atalanta (58 points in 30 games), fourth-placed Bologna (56 points in 30 games), fifth-placed Juventus (55 points in 30 games), and sixth-placed AS Roma (52 points in 30 games) will battle it out for the last two UCL berths.
Serie A 2024-25 Table
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Inter
31
20
8
3
69
30
39
68
2
Napoli
30
19
7
4
47
24
23
64
3
Atalanta
30
17
7
6
63
29
34
58
4
Bologna
30
15
11
4
50
34
16
56
5
Juventus
30
14
13
3
46
28
18
55
6
Roma
30
15
7
8
45
30
15
52
7
Lazio
30
15
7
8
51
42
9
52
8
Fiorentina
31
15
7
9
49
32
17
52
9
Milan
31
13
9
9
47
37
10
48
10
Udinese
31
11
7
13
36
42
-6
40
11
Torino
30
9
12
9
35
35
0
39
12
Genoa
31
9
11
11
29
38
-9
38
13
Como
31
8
9
14
39
48
-9
33
14
Verona
30
9
3
18
29
58
-29
30
15
Cagliari
30
7
8
15
31
44
-13
29
16
Parma
31
5
12
14
37
51
-14
27
17
Lecce
31
6
8
17
21
49
-28
26
18
Empoli
30
4
11
15
24
47
-23
23
19
Venezia
31
3
12
16
23
43
-20
21
20
Monza
31
2
9
20
25
55
-30
15
Bundesliga
(Image Credit | Getty)
As of now, only six points separate league leaders Bayern Munich and second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, though Bayern might attain the Bundesliga 2024-25 title and a first trophy for Harry Kane –if they manage to accumulate 13 from the 18 points available.
Bayern Munich are now ahead with 68 points in 28 games, whereas reigning Champions Bayer Leverkusen have managed 62 in the same number of matches, practically confirming their participation in next season's Champions League.
Bayern are leading in the Bundesliga title race. (Image Credit | ESPN)
However, the race for two other UCL berths will draw Eintracht Frankfurt (third, 48 points in 28 games), FSV Mainz (fourth, 46 points in 28 games), RB Leipzig (fifth, 45 points in 28 games), and Borussia Monchengladbach (sixth, 43 points in 27 games) into a battle, looking for places in continental competitions.
Bundesliga 2024-25 Table
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Bayern
28
21
5
2
81
27
54
68
2
Leverkusen
28
18
8
2
63
34
29
62
3
Eintracht Frankfurt
28
14
6
8
55
42
13
48
4
Mainz
28
13
7
8
46
32
14
46
5
RB Leipzig
28
12
9
7
44
35
9
45
6
Mönchengladbach
27
13
4
10
44
40
4
43
7
SC Freiburg
28
12
6
10
38
44
-6
42
8
Dortmund
28
12
5
11
52
43
9
41
9
VfB Stuttgart
28
11
7
10
51
44
7
40
10
Werder
28
11
6
11
45
53
-8
39
11
Augsburg
28
10
9
9
31
39
-8
39
12
Wolfsburg
27
10
8
9
49
41
8
38
13
Union Berlin
27
8
6
13
25
40
-15
30
14
Hoffenheim
28
6
9
13
34
52
-18
27
15
FC St. Pauli
27
7
4
16
22
33
-11
25
16
Heidenheim
28
6
4
18
32
53
-21
22
17
VfL Bochum
28
5
5
18
28
59
-31
20
18
Holstein Kiel
28
4
6
18
39
68
-29
18
Ligue 1
The redesigned Ligue 1 trophy. (Image Source | X)
Paris Saint-Germain have claimed the 2024-25 Ligue 1 title after beating Angers 1-0 last night, ensuring their fourth successive title with 74 points in 28 games. The Luis Enrique-managed side have been crowned champions with six matches remaining and are now 24 points ahead of the second-placed AS Monaco (50 points in 28 matches).
PSG have clinched another milestone, winning the league title without losing a single game so far, and with six matches remaining, they will look to embrace the 'invincible' tag by ending the season without a single defeat.
PSG have won the 2024-25 Ligue 1. (Image Credit | Getty Images)
If Les Parisiens complete an unbeaten league season, they will join a special group of clubs from Europe's top five leagues that have achieved this feat. This group includes Bayer Leverkusen in 2024, Juventus in 2012, Arsenal in 2004, AC Milan in 1992, Perugia in 1979, and Preston North End in 1889.
However, the race to qualify for next season's UCL will go down to the wire between six teams who are differentiated by only four points – AS Monaco (50), Olympique de Marseille (49), Olympique Lyonnais (48), OGC Nice (47), Lille OSC (47), and RC Strasbourg (46).
Ligue 1 2024-25 Table
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
PSG
28
23
5
0
80
26
54
74
2
Monaco
28
15
5
8
54
35
19
50
3
Marseille
27
15
4
8
54
36
18
49
4
Lyon
28
14
6
8
54
38
16
48
5
Nice
28
13
8
7
52
35
17
47
6
LOSC
28
13
8
7
42
30
12
47
7
Strasbourg
27
13
7
7
45
35
10
46
8
Brest
28
13
4
11
44
43
1
43
9
Lens
27
11
6
10
31
30
1
39
10
Auxerre
27
9
8
10
38
39
-1
35
11
Toulouse
27
9
7
11
35
33
2
34
12
Rennes
27
10
2
15
38
37
1
32
13
Nantes
28
7
9
12
33
47
-14
30
14
Angers
28
7
6
15
26
46
-20
27
15
Reims
27
6
8
13
29
41
-12
26
16
Le Havre
27
7
3
17
29
57
-28
24
17
St-Étienne
27
6
5
16
28
63
-35
23
18
Montpellier
27
4
3
20
21
62
-41
15
(*all stats are accurate as of the time of publishing this article.)
Paulo Fonseca suspended for 9 months following a heated clash with referee in a Ligue 1 game
Olympique Lyonnais manager Paulo Fonseca has been suspended by the LFP for 9 months, following a clash with the referee during a heated Ligue 1 match against Brest on Sunday.
Olympique Lyonnais manager Paulo Fonseca has been suspended with a nine-month ban from football after his furious argument with match referee Benoit Millot, during Lyon's 2-1 victory against Brest on Sunday, March 2nd.
Fonseca's side was winning that match with a 2-1 lead over Brest on Sunday. Despite Lyon being the winner of the match,Paulo Fonseca left fuming with the match official in the last stages of the game and was sent off for his shocking outburst on the officials.
As a result of his action, Fonseca has been slammed with a nine-month ban and will be prohibited from accessing the bench, the dressing rooms, the officials, and participating in any official event before, during, or after matchesuntil November 30th.
The French Professional Football League (LFP) declared an official statement on Wednesday, stating, "Fonseca will be barred from accessing the bench, the officials' dressing rooms, and participating in any official functions before, during, or after matches until November 30."
This unprecedented and shocking punishment will see the club forced to play without their manager on the touchline for the rest of this season and until several months into the 2025-26 campaign as well.
24th day of Ligue 1 McDonald's: Olympique Lyonnais – Stade Brestois 29 of Sunday March 2, 2025 Behavior of Mr. Paulo FONSECA, coach of Olympique Lyonnais.
Firm suspension before, during and after the match of access to the bench, the officials' locker rooms and all official functions, until November 30, 2025 inclusive.
In addition, until September 15, 2025 inclusive, this suspension will be accompanied before, during and after the match, by a ban on access to the players' locker rooms, the pitch, the tunnel and all corridors leading to the aforementioned areas.
The sanction takes effect immediately.
What happened?
(Image Credit: Express Co. Uk)
After coming from 1-0 down to take a 2-1 lead, it looked like Lyon would surrender a share of points when Millot awarded a penalty to Brest in the last minutes of the game due to a handball.
After a VAR check, the decision was overturned, but that did not stop Paulo Fonseca, who had furiously confronted the referee and received a red card for his troubles.
He did not stop fuming after the card and appeared to push his head into that of the Millot's and he was dragged away by some of his players.
After only 5 games in charge, Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca has been served a 9-month ban.
Millot found Fonseca's behaviour "intimidating", as told French sports daily L'Equipe:
I didn’t even have time to announce the final decision, which turned out to be not awarding a penalty,
"There seemed to be a slight contact of the nose, to be precise.
"It was a particularly intimidating, aggressive attitude, which one can hardly imagine from a professional coach.
Following this incident, Fonseca apologized for his actions and acknowledged that he was wrong to react in the manner which he did. Speaking to DAZN, with quotes shared via ESPN, he said:
I just want to say that I am sorry for what I did. I should not do it. Maybe we do things that are not right. I am Sorry,
Fonseca also wrote a letter to match officials to express his remorse. Lyon owner John Textor also praised Fonseca for his acknowledgment of his own mistake. He posted on his social media:
“I stand with you today, and always. You made a mistake…Your apology was sincere…and your punishment is clearly too severe. You are the right man for OL and we shall persevere.”
However, Lyon published an official press release regarding his incident, denouncing the 'severity'of the sanction. The official statement said:
Olympique Lyonnais acknowledges the extreme severity of the unprecedented sanction, and the unusual speed, of the disciplinary committee concerning Paulo Fonseca.
The club deplores that its coach was not judged on his actions alone, an emotional reaction, without any clear intention of physically attacking the referee. In light of a sanction that seems to be dictated by a deleterious context affecting French refereeing, OL announces from now on that it is studying all possible solutions for appeal. More than ever, the club is united and focused on its sporting objectives.
With Lyon currently sitting sixth in Ligue 1, they have an outside chance of landing the UEFA Champions League football this season. The French will be forced to do so without their manager now.
UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Round of 16 First Leg Round Up: Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid snatch narrow wins; Bayern, Arsenal are halfway into the Quarters
Liverpool, Barcelona, and Real Madrid snatch narrow wins, whereas Bayern and Arsenal are halfway into the quarter-finals after the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Round of 16 First Leg.
Following the conclusion of the UEFA Champions League 2024-25Round of 16 First Leg, we can presume the potential entrants into the UCL quarter-finals, whereas the fate of some match-ups will be decided in the second leg.
Liverpool, the league phase leaders, managed a hard-fought 1-0 win against PSG; whereas ten-men Barcelona snatched a narrow 1-0 victory over Benfica. Real Madrid emerged victorious by 2-1 in the Madrid Derby against Atletico Madrid.
On the contrary, Bayern Munich thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 and Arsenal ran riot over PSV, winning 7-1 to practically secure their advancement to the next round of the competition.
UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Round of 16 First Leg Round Up
Club Brugge 1-3 Aston Villa
(Image Source | X)
Aston Villa salvaged two late goals to triumph 3-1 over Club Brugge in the first leg of the RO16 tie at the Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges, Belgium.
Leon Bailey opened the account for Aston Villa in only three minutes into the game. Club Brugge quickly answered with Maxim De Cuyper scoring in the 12th minute.
However, Bruges defender Brandon Mechele scored a cheeky own goal to hand Villa the lead in the 82nd minute. Following that, Marco Asensio scored from the spot in the 88th minute, securing a two-goal lead for Aston Villa in the first leg.
Real Madrid impressively managed a 2-1 victory in the first leg of the 'Madrid Derby' against Atletico Madrid, in one of the biggest fixtures of UCL 2024-25 RO16 this season.
Rodrygo scored a spectacular goal from Los Blancos in the fourth minute of the game, with Julian Alvarez canceling it out with another world-class strike in the 32nd minute.
However, Brahim Diaz scored the winner for Real Madrid in the 55th minute to hand Atletico a one-goal deficit ahead of the second leg.
Arsenal ran demolition over PSV, crushing the Dutch side 7-1 in the first leg at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven, Netherlands, practically securing their quarter-final tickets.
Jurrien Timber opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 18th minute, as Ethan Nwaneri doubled the lead in the 21st minute. Mikel Merino extended the lead in the 31st minutes, but PSV pulled off a goal from Noa Lang's spotkick in the 43rd minute.
Arsenal's scoring spree continued in the second half, with Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard scoring consecutively in the 47th and the 48th minute. Odegaard completed his brace in the 73rd minute, and Ricardo Calafiori put the final coffin on the nail in the 85th minute.
Borussia Dortmund 1-1 LOSC
(Image Source | BVB)
Borussia Dortmund and Lille OSC shared an exciting 1-1 stalemate in the first leg at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, with everything to play for in the second leg.
Karim Adeyemi netted an absolute banger in the 22nd minute of the match. Following that, Borussia found the equalizer in the 68th minute with Haraldsson tapping the ball home.
Feyenoord 0-2 Inter Milan
(Image Source | X)
Inter Milan earned a dominant first-leg lead over Feyenoord, winning 2-0 in Rotterdam to manage a two-goal cushion ahead of the reverse fixture.
Marcus Thuram found the breakthrough for Inter in the 38th minute with a volleyed strike. Shortly after the break, Lautaro Martinez doubled the Nerazzurri's lead with a superb strike, also becoming Inter's all-time leading goalscorer in UCL.
The Italian outfit were close to adding a third goal from the spot, but Piotr Zieliński's penalty was well saved by Feyenoord custodian Timon Wellenreuther.
Bayern Munich 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen
(Image Source | X)
Bayern Munich eased past Bayer Leverkusen in the first-ever all-German tie in the UCL, beating the Bundesliga counterparts 3-0 at the Allianz Arena.
Harry Kane opened the account for Bayern only nine minutes into the game, scoring a powerful header. In the 54th minute, Jamal Musiala extended the lead as he slashed it home from a rebound.
Leverkusen defender Nordi Mukiele was shown a second yellow and was sent off in the 62nd minute, resulting in the third goal for Bayern. Harry Kane completed his brace in the 75th minute by scoring from the penalty spot to hand Bayern a comfortable victory.
Keeper Wojciech Szczęsny's trusted gloves resisted the fall of a ten-men FC Barcelona against Benfica in the first leg at Estádio da Luz, leading them to a slender 1-0 victory.
Defender Pau Cubarsi was sent off in the 22nd minute of the game, following a straight red card. Barcelona were down to ten men, but Wojciech Szczęsny became unbreakable beneath the sticks, making a massive eight saves on the way.
The only goal of the match came off Raphinha's magical feet, as the Brazilian found the back of the net with a sublime long-ranger strike that went past Trubin through the left-bottom corner.
PSG 0-1 Liverpool
(Image Source | X)
It was another Champions League classic at Parc des Princes as Liverpool salvaged a narrow 1-0 victory against Paris Saint-Germain in an electric encounter.
Liverpool custodian Alisson Becker became absolute impregnable against continuous efforts from PSG attackers, especially Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Alisson was only beaten once in the 20th minute, when a marvellous curler from Kvaratskhelia ended up in the net, but was cancelled for offside.
Alisson made nine saves in the whole game, whereas Liverpool earned the winning goal in the 87th minute as Harvey Elliot fired his strike past Donnarumma, only 47 seconds after coming off the bench.
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