Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique was full of praise for his former rival Diego Simeone as he prepares to go head-to-head with the Atletico Madrid boss in the Champions League.
PSG and Atletico, who reached the semi-finals and the quarter-finals respectively last season, will face off on Wednesday having both won just one of their three league-phase games.
A home victory would boost PSG, currently 19th with four points, while Atletico, languishing in 27th on three, are aiming to recover from back-to-back losses.
PSG have never faced Atletico in the Champions League before but Luis Enrique's Barcelona defeated Simeone's Atletico side nine times in their 14 meetings between 2014 and 2017, drawing twice and losing three times.
Luis Enrique led Barca to a Champions League and LaLiga double in 2014-15 followed by another league title the following year.
"We've played against each other as players and then as managers. I admire Simeone, when a coach can stay for so many years at a top club it means he is great because that is such a difficult thing to do," Luis Enrique told reporters on Tuesday.
Simeone has managed Atletico for 13 years, guiding them to two LaLiga titles and two Europa League crowns, though the Madrid side had considered hiring Luis Enrique prior to Simeone's arrival.
"I had given my word to another club. If I had gone to Atleti, I would not have stayed half as long as Simeone because I don't have the energy as him," added Luis Enrique.
"They are lucky to have found Simeone as a coach. You need a lot of energy, to be able to convince all your players over the long-term."
PSG, having lost Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid in the close season, have just two goals in their three Champions League games, beating Girona 1-0 but drawing 1-1 with PSV and losing 2-0 at Arsenal.
"I have no doubt we can improve in defence and attack, whether it is with the defender duos of Marquinhos and Willian Pacho, or Milan Skriniar and Lucas Beraldo, or in the midfield," Luis Enrique said.
"I understand you want to discuss individual players, but we analyse things from a broader perspective.
"What interests me is to always generate goalscoring opportunities and to arrive in the penalty area because you have managed to be stronger than your opponent.
"That is my objective as a coach: to always generate opportunities."
Close-season signing Matvey Safonov, who kept a clean sheet in their opening win against Girona, might replace number one goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose mistakes proved costly at Arsenal and against PSV.
"You will find out tomorrow. After a good cup of cappuccino, I will decide who the goalkeeper is," Luis Enrique said.
Reggae Boyz and West Ham's striker Michail Antonio involved in motor vehicle accident
Jamaica's Reggae Boy and West Ham United striker, Michail Antonio, was involved in a road traffic accident on Saturday, the Premier League club confirmed in a statement.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club are with Michail, his family, and friends at this time," West Ham said in a brief message shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Details regarding the severity of the incident remain unclear, with the club promising to provide further updates in due course.
"West Ham United can confirm striker Michail Antonio has today been involved in a road traffic accident. The club will issue an update in due course," the statement read.
The news has sparked concern among fans and the footballing community, with many offering their own messages of support for the player, who has been a key figure for both club and country.
As more information becomes available, supporters of the 34-year-old forward, known for his contributions on and off the field, will be hoping for a positive outcome.
Gimenez a doubt for Sevilla clash, says Atletico boss Simeone
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has revealed Jose Maria Gimenez could be a doubt for his side's LaLiga meeting with Sevilla on Sunday.
The 29-year-old suffered an ankle injury in training on Friday and Simeone said he will take a late call on the defender's involvement in the home contest.
Gimenez has been a bedrock in defence as Atletico go into the game on the back of four consecutive victories in the Spanish top flight. They have also won eight in a row across all competitions.
"We'll see," Simeone said when asked about an update on Gimenez.
"When he wakes up [on Sunday], he'll say he's ready to play because we know him. From there, we'll assess."
Gimenez has appeared in all but two of their 15 LaLiga matches this season, with Simeone's side third with 32 points.
Atletico defeated Cacereno 3-1 in the second round of Copa del Rey on Thursday and they have now scored 14 goals and conceded just once in their last three matches.
"There are always different moments in the season and now we are trying to take care of the run we have," Simeone said ahead of the Sevilla clash.
Ahead of the meeting in Madrid, Simeone was also full of praise for Rodrigo De Paul, who has one goal and three assists in the league.
"He has absolutely everything, and he has shown it in recent games," the Atletico boss said.
"He competes in all the arenas, whether it is the Champions League or the cup, as he should and as the people of Atleti want.
"He knows what the fans expect from him, and hopefully he can maintain this level because he has what it takes. We are going to demand the maximum from him because he occupies a position that requires a lot of demands."
Kicking off a new partnership: CB Foods becomes official protein sponsor of PFJL
CB Foods has entered the football arena, kicking off a new three-year league partnership and becoming the Official Protein Sponsor of Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), the managers of the Jamaica Premier League.
This partnership was sealed on Thursday, December 5th at the offices of the CB Group.
Janet Sylvester, Divisional Manager of CB Foods Ltd, expressed her company’s enthusiasm about the collaboration.
“We are thrilled to be part of nation-building. As a company with over 40 years in the industry, we have contributed to various sectors, including agriculture, entertainment, food and beverage, and we are now entering the sports arena. CB Foods aims to combine all our efforts to strengthen the Jamaica Premier League, focusing on youth development and supporting clubs and small businesses,” she disclosed.
“At CB Group, we practice a culture of sustainability. Our purpose is to make a positive impact, and when we consider the future, our focus is on empowering people who will help us build sustainable industries. This mission aligns closely with our core values at CB Group,” she explained.
Samantha Fisher, the Assistant Brand Manager of CB Foods, highlighted the significance of football in Jamaica.
"Football is more than just a sport in Jamaica; it’s a way of life, a unifying force, and a celebration of our culture. CB Foods has always been passionate about nourishing our people with care and quality, we are excited to be a part of one of Jamaica’s most beloved national pastimes. Through this collaboration, we hope to ignite excitement, inspire greatness both on and off the field, and connect with the community: the footballers, fans, and foodies."
For his part, Owen Hill, CEO of the Professional Football Jamaica Limited, said the CB Foods’ commitment to nation building and community involvement, augurs well the alignment of both entities.
“CB Foods is a community brand, and we appreciate their boldness in not only expressing their values but also actively working to make a real difference. Our goal is to positively impact the lives of footballers, the community, and the clubs. This three-year partnership reflects our commitment and passion for changing lives through football. We are excited to see what the next three years will bring,” said Hill.
Hill emphasized the benefits of the partnership for the players.
“This partnership directly impacts the clubs’ overall mindset because more collaborations like this will lead to greater visibility. Motivation is crucial, as it drives their performance on and off the field,” Hill explained.
CB Foods will engage with the community through its brands, including CB Chicken, Caribbean Passion, and Bad Dawg Sausages. We look forward to seeing how they will execute their initiatives at various Jamaica Premier League matches and in the community.
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