Messi, Neymar and Mbappe can't prevent another PSG loss


Steve Luckings
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Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier said he will use video analysis to better understand the Ligue 1 leaders' problems following a second straight away defeat in the French league on Sunday.

PSG started with Lionel Messi and Neymar in attack before bringing on Kylian Mbappe – the first time the trio have played together since the Qatar World Cup – early in the second half but still managed only one shot on target in the whole game under driving rain.

A 65th-minute goal by Rennes defender Hamari Traoré condemned PSG to a second defeat in three matches and cut the French champions' lead over second-place Lens to three points. Rennes remain fifth.

“The images will speak for themselves," Galtier said of his plans to use video analysis, "after that there will be choices to make.”

It was expected that Galtier would field his attacking triumvirate of World Cup winner Messi alongside Neymar and Mbappe but the PSG boss sprung a surprise by selecting 20-year-old Hugo Ekitike to spearhead the attack ahead of Mbappe.

Ekitike, much like his more illustrious teammates Messi and Neymar, was largely anonymous before being replaced in the second half by Mbappe.

Messi sent Mbappe clean through moments after Rennes took the lead but the Frenchman fired over international teammate Steve Mandanda's goal.

Rennesgoalkeeper Steve Mandanda catches the ball in front of Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe. AFP
Rennesgoalkeeper Steve Mandanda catches the ball in front of Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe. AFP

Rennes coach Bruno Genesio's bold move paid off as he selected 18-year-old Lesley Ugochukwu and 17-year-old Désiré Doué in midfield, either side of Croatia's Lovro Majer.

Brittany side Rennes again proved a tough opponent, having beaten PSG to win the French Cup in 2019 and beating PSG at home 2-0 last season.

“We knew we were in for a difficult game and so it proved,” Galtier said. “Rennes was far too comfortable in defence.”

PSG's wobbles could hardly have come at a worse moment with the season-defining Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich next month while is fast approaching while Lens and Marseille continue to chase down their lead at the top of Ligue 1.

“This is a tight league, but I’m not used to watch the standings. I’m focusing on performances, and I have work to do,” Galtier said.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Francesco Totti's bio

Born September 27, 1976

Position Attacking midifelder

Clubs played for (1) - Roma

Total seasons 24

First season 1992/93

Last season 2016/17

Appearances 786

Goals 307

Titles (5) - Serie A 1; Italian Cup 2; Italian Supercup 2

Series result

1st ODI Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets

2nd ODI Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets

3rd ODI Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets

4th ODI Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets

5th ODI Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets

Super Saturday results

4pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 | US$350,000 | (Dirt) | 1,200m
Winner: Drafted, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer).

4.35pm: Al Bastakiya Listed | $300,000 | (D) | 1,900m
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5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 | $350,000 | (Turf) | 1,200m
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5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 | $350,000 | (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Muntazah, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.

6.20pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 | $300,000 | (T) | 2,410m
Winner: Old Persian, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 | $600,000 | (D) | 2,000m
Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.

7.30pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 | $400,000 | (T) | 1,800m
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ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

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Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets. 

if you go

The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow. 
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes). 

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

Super 30

Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Squad

Ali Kasheif, Salim Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohammed Al Attas, Abdullah Ramadan, Zayed Al Ameri (Al Jazira), Mohammed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammed Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Essa, Mohammed Shaker, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah) Walid Abbas, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli), Tariq Ahmed, Jasim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Muharami (Baniyas) 

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Director: Shady Ali
Cast: Boumi Fouad , Mohamed Tharout and Hisham Ismael
Rating: 3/5

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Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)

Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)

West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)

Sunday

Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)

Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)

Everton v Liverpool (10pm)

Monday

Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)

Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?

The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.

The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.

He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.

He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.

He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.

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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas

Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa

Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong

Rating: 3/5

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Updated: January 16, 2023, 8:20 AM`