Thomas Tuchel Admits PSG Are Getting Sick of Marcus Rashford

Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel has admitted that Marcus Rashford has started to annoy the French champions because of his scoring record against them.

The Manchester United star netted a famous last minute penalty to knock PSG out of the Champions League in 2019, while he scored another winner against them earlier this season. Both times, Rashford did it at Parc des Princes in the French capital.

Marcus Rashford
Rashford knocked PSG out of the Champions League in 2018/19 | Julian Finney/Getty Images

Tuchel says PSG are happy to appreciate Rashford from a distance, but not against them.

“We value him very much when he plays in England and not Parc des Princes, honestly, because [him scoring against PSG] gets a little bit annoying,” the German is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

Tuchel praised Rashford’s personal qualities, labelling him a ‘humble’ and ‘nice’ guy. As for his ability on the football pitch that has given PSG nightmare…

“For me personally, the sporting side is clear – he’s a big threat with his speed, with his ability to score, with his determination and his finishing,” Tuchel explained.

“He’s very precise, taking shots inside and outside of the box. He is super rapid on counter-attacks and strong in the air with headers. He’s had a big impact and it’s nice to see guys like him from the academy having such a big impact in a big, big club like United.”

As the two clubs prepare to meet at Old Trafford, United are aware that just a point will be enough to put them into the knockout rounds with a group game to spare. They could also win the group depending on RB Leipzig fare against Istanbul Basaksehir in the other game.

Man Utd will get to the Champions League last 16 with a point
Man Utd will get to the Champions League last 16 with a point | DeFodi Images/Getty Images

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have taken nine points from a possible 12 on offer so far, recovering from a setback in Turkey on matchday three to beat Istanbul comfortably at home last time out.

United are generally in good form ahead of this one and have also won each of their last three Premier League games to shoot up the Premier League table.

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Frank Lampard Insists Callum Hudson-Odoi Is Part of Chelsea Plans

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has defended his decision to drop home-grown winger Callum Hudson-Odoi altogether for last weekend’s Premier League against Tottenham, just days after the 20-year-old had started and scored in the Champions League.

Hudson-Odoi has only started five of Chelsea’s 16 games in all competitions so far this season. But it was a shock for many to see him not even make the bench for the Spurs game, especially after making an important impact for the Blues in Europe.

Frank Lampard
Lampard rotated Hudson-Odoi out of the Chelsea squad | Pool/Getty Images

The return of Christian Pulisic to the squad and a reduced bench for domestic games were both likely factors in his exclusion, with Lampard explaining that all players have to make do with being rotated and left out at various times because of the size of the squad.

Although not playing will bring speculation about Hudson-Odoi’s future, the Chelsea boss insists there is no other reason behind being omitted at the weekend.

“I have tough decisions when we have a fully fit squad like we do now. We have elite players who work hard through the week, they’re desperate to play for the club but I have to leave them out,” Lampard is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

“There will be other times when others players have to sit out and the conversation will be with other players. He’s back in contention, I want to see him keep that progression going and if there are times when he’s not starting or not in the squad, the main thing is that I want him is to stay positive and I suppose that is part of my job to have that communication level.

“His reaction to me saying that to him was great, his reaction since in training has been great and I’m sure he’ll show that again when he plays.”

Chelsea can wrap up top spot in their Champions League group with a win at Sevilla on Wednesday night.

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Zinedine Zidane Refuses to Quit After Latest Real Madrid Setback

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has said there is ‘no chance whatsoever’ that he will resign in the wake of Tuesday night’s defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk, which leaves Los Blancos in danger of failing to qualify from a Champions League group for the first time.

Real have only four of their last 11 games in all competitions since mid-October. It has left third in their Champions League group with only one match remaining and way off the pace in La Liga.

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Real were beaten for the second time by Shakhtar Donetsk | SERGEI SUPINSKY/Getty Images

Zidane’s team had the chance to secure their place in the Champions League knockout rounds with a win against Shakhtar, but defeat puts the pressure on a matchday six clash with Borussia Monchengladbach next week and they must not lose again to even stand a chance of qualifying.

Real have reached the knockout stages every time they have competed in the Champions League and have progressed from the group for 23 consecutive seasons.

But despite poor results – in Spain and abroad – and growing pressure, Zidane remains defiant.

“There’s no chance whatsoever of me standing down. We’re going to keep going,” the Frenchman said, via RealMadrid.com, in the wake of the final whistle against Shakhtar.

The game finished 2-0 in Shakhtar’s favour, but Zidane is adamant his team deserved to win.

“I’m feeling strong and I’ll give it my all, as I always do,” he explained. “The same goes for the players, just like they did today. I don’t think we deserved to win in La Liga the other day because it was a poor performance but we deserved it tonight.

Zinedine ZidaneLucas Vazquez
Zidane is looking ahead to the next game for a response | DeFodi Images/Getty Images

“It’s in the tough times that we have to show our character and pride. Tonight’s game was a shame because we didn’t deserve that. We’ll have to win the next game, our last one. It wasn’t to be tonight, but we’ll keep the faith and fight hard, that’s for sure, I have no doubt in my mind.”

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Jurgen Klopp Hails Depleted Liverpool & Explains Caoimhin Kelleher Decision

Jurgen Klopp has hailed the efforts of his depleted Liverpool side to beat Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday night, both progressing to the knockout rounds and securing top spot in the group with a game to spare.

The Reds won the contest by a single goal at Anfield, scored by 19-year-old talent Curtis Jones. It makes him the third youngest Liverpool scorer in the competition behind only David N’Gog and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Curtis Jones
19-year-old Curtis Jones scored the only goal of the game | Pool/Getty Images

Neco Williams and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher also got the nod to start, with the latter favoured over Adrian and making his European debut for the club.

Liverpool are missing a string of senior players through injury, with usual goalkeeper Alisson the most recent to join the list. Jordan Henderson and Andy Robertson both also suffered knocks during the game but carried on until the final whistle.

Speaking afterwards, Klopp concluded it was among the best Champions League nights he has had as Liverpool boss, largely because of the very challenging circumstances.

“If someone thinks now that I like that more than a game with our supporters in, that is of course not the case. But we don’t have supporters in the stadium and then the difficult situation that we are in, winning that game 1-0, making a lot of changes…” Klopp said, via LiverpoolFC.com.

“The kids played exceptional, the front three defended like devils from all directions. That’s all so important and the two centre-halves were there when we needed them.

“It’s not now that we played the best football ever, it’s about ‘this is the situation you are in, that’s what you make of it’. In the end, we are top of the group after matchday five. We have never been that before, so that’s really good.”

As for the decision to pick home-grown Kelleher in goal ahead of the more experience Adrian, Klopp said it was down the 22-year-old Irishman’s ability on the ball and his distribution to help retain possession for Liverpool and beat Ajax’s initial press. Adrian has been guilty of mistakes in the past.

“We needed the package of Caoimhin. He is a top talent anyway, but a really good shot stopper and a top footballer, so I like that,” Klopp explained.

Caoimhin Kelleher
Caoimhin Kelleher was chosen for his ability on the ball | Michael Regan/Getty Images

“We needed that for the pressing of Ajax, we needed his chips into the half-spaces and these kinds of things. That was really good, but of course in the end it is all about saving, keeping the ball out of the net, and he did that at least twice in an exceptional manner.”

Alisson is nursing a hamstring strain and is likely to also miss the clash with Wolves on Sunday. If Kelleher keeps his place for that one, it would be his Premier League debut.

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Champions League Roundup: Inter Survive, Bayern Held by Atletico & Marseille Break Duck

Another Tuesday night, another gigantic helping of Champions League football.

Matchday five treated us to a couple of ‘shocks’ that are happening so frequently this season they weren’t actually that surprising. We had Real Madrid falling to a(nother) defeat, Inter making it hard for themselves and Manchester City being a bit boring.

Here’s all of that – as well as everything else – rounded up in one neat little package.

There’s only one place to start – Real’s shocking 2-0 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainian side also bested Los Blancos in the reverse fixture and Zinedine Zidane’s charges seemed to have not learned anything from that embarrassing performance, serving up another pitiful display in Kiev.

To be fair, they did start the game fairly well but they faded badly in the second half with Shakhtar taking full advantage to win 2-0.

Meanwhile, Inter came very close to surrendering a 3-1 lead against Borussia Monchengladbach, eventually surviving a late disallowed goal scare to claim all three points with a 3-2 victory.

The result leaves Group B delicately poised going into matchday six with all four teams still in with a chance of progression. One to keep an eye on next week for sure.

Group A is also delicately balanced after Atletico Madrid held runaway leaders Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw, while Lokomotiv Moscow fell to a 3-1 defeat to Red Bull Salzburg. The pick of the goals in this group was a fine strike from Salzburg striker Karim Adeyemi (see above), who celebrated with an even more impressive backflip.

As for Liverpool, they had stand-in goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to thank after he made a fine save late on to deny Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. This helped Liverpool secure a 1-0 win over Ajax, a result which confirmed the Reds’ progression. They will be joined by either Atalanta – who were held 1-1 by whipping boys FC Midtjylland – or Ajax, who face off against each other next.

Group C closes our round up. Why? Because it might be the most boring Champions League group of all time.

The only thing of note to report is that Andre Villas-Boas’ Marseille finally got off the mark with a 2-1 win over Olympiacos, breaking their 13-game losing streak in the competition. Oh yeah, and Manchester City drew 0-0 with FC Porto to guarantee top spot.

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