Stats highlights from day one of the second Australia-India Test match in Adelaide
Sampath Bandarupalli06-Dec-20243 Instances of India winning the toss, batting first, and getting bowled out for 180 or less in 2024. Only one team has been bowled out for 180 or less more often in a calendar year after electing to bat – five times by India in 1959.6 for 48 Mitchell Starc’s bowling figures in India’s first-innings are his best in Tests. It was also Starc’s maiden five-wicket haul against India in Tests, after 51 wickets in his first 19 matches against them.3 Instances of Starc taking a wicket off the first ball of a Test match. He and Pedro Collins are the only bowlers to strike with the first ball of a Test on three occasions.Starc previously dismissed Dimuth Karunaratne in the 2016 Galle Test and Rory Burns in the 2021 Brisbane Test on the first ball. He became the first bowler to take a wicket off the first ball of a day-night Test match by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal on Friday.ESPNcricinfo Ltd50 Wickets by Jasprit Bumrah in Tests in 2024. He is only the third India fast bowler to achieve this milestone in a calendar year, after Kapil Dev (74 in 1979 and 75 in 1983) and Zaheer Khan (51 in 2002). Bumrah is also the first fast bowler to take 50-plus wickets in a calendar year since Pat Cummins in 2019.4 Five-wicket hauls for Starc in day-night Test matches. No other bowler has taken more than two. Starc has played 13 day-night Tests so far, the joint-most by any player.53 Test wickets for Starc at the Adelaide Oval. He is the third bowler to reach the milestone of 50 at this ground, after Nathan Lyon (63) and Shane Warne (56). Starc’s bowling strike rate of 34.9 in Tests at the Adelaide Oval is the third best among the bowlers with 50-plus Test wickets at a venue.ESPNcricinfo Ltd8 of the nine dropped catches by wicketkeepers off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling in international cricket have been by Rishabh Pant. Pant has taken 34 catches off Bumrah out of 42 chances, at a percentage of 80.95. That number goes up to 92.42 against other fast bowlers, off whom he has only dropped only ten out of 132 chances.6 Sixes by Nitish Kumar Reddy across his three innings in this series. Five of those have come against fast bowlers, the most by any Indian in Tests in Australia. Zaheer, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Pant have hit three each.
With several months between matches and a World Cup on the horizon, MLS players are finding different ways to stay sharp through the winter to ensure they get off to a strong start
For several years, the concept of an offseason has been a hot topic in global soccer. As players play more games than ever, there are fewer breaks and moments to shut the body down to recover. Major League Soccer, generally, has had the opposite problem.
The reality is that those who missed the postseason are staring down just about four months without a club match. That's a long time in comparison to the leagues in Europe, where the offseason can be less than a month when factoring in friendlies played over the summer. The best professionals know how to navigate that time in a way that gets them the rest they need and the training required to stay sharp.
Staying sharp is always paramount, but even more so this year. When the MLS season kicks off in February, it'll be just a three-month sprint before World Cup rosters are selected. Those on the fringes will know that, and they'll know there will be no time to waste. Starting the season strong will be more important than ever before, and to do that, players will need to understand a vital fact: this is no regular offseason.
"I'll treat this preseason and offseason the same way I treat every single one and come back from preseason knowing that 2026 is going to be a huge, huge year," U.S. men's national team and Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream said. "I have goals I want to reach, and it's what you do when no one's looking that allows you to reach those goals."
So how are players approaching it? What are they doing to stay fit? GOAL, in partnership with Catepillar, takes a look…
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The initial days
Diego Luna's season ended much earlier than he wanted. Real Salt Lake were knocked out in the Wild Card round of the MLS Cup Playoffs on Oct. 22, ending their campaign, in Luna's mind, wildly prematurely. With a few weeks between that loss and the U.S. men's national team's final camp of 2025, Luna had to stay sharp. As a result, he spent a whole bunch of time training on his own to ensure he kept his legs for USMNT camp.
"I show up every single day at the RSL facility with a bag of balls to run my butt off for three weeks straight of grinding. No one there; just me in the dark, lights off," Luna told GOAL. "It's three weeks of hard work that no one is noticing, but everyone's thinking 'Diego's done this' or 'Diego's done that'. I show up against Uruguay and put in a performance, but people don't see the hard work that was done before."
Luna's work, ultimately, paid off. He dazzled against Uruguay, scoring a goal in the 5-1 win. He was joined on the scoresheet that day by another player who endured something similar: Alex Freeman. The Orlando City star scored twice against Uruguay, having gone through a similar process in Florida. After falling in the Wild Card round himself, the fullback grinded on his own in South Florida for a few weeks before earning his own USMNT call-up.
With the international break now over, though, there are no immediate games to train for. It's easier to stay motivated for a few weeks when you know that national team camp is around the corner. With that over, though, the hard work really begins.
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Staying fit
Tim Ream has been doing this for a while. It's fair to say he's done this longer than most. Now 38, the Charlotte FC star has had a whole bunch of offseasons in his career, so he knows what it's like not just to shut down, but get back going again.
As he's gotten older, that second part has become more difficult. In his eyes, resting is important, of course, but it's vital not to let the levels drop too much, simply because getting them back requires more work than ever.
"I think I hit 45 games between club and country this year at 38 years old," Ream said. "It's been a lot, especially when you throw in the travel. Listen, when you finish here, it's about rest and recovery. I'm one of those who struggle with too much time off, so I'll take 10 days off, completely shut the body down, then get back on the bike and get back to running and doing the things that I know work for me in the offseason. As you get older, you actually need or should be taking less time off. I've found, for me, that's the approach."
That's not just the approach for wily veterans. Ethan Sonis, who works with stars like Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao, and Sergio Aguero with S.A.T. Soccer, says he'll work with between 20 and 30 players this winter to help them stay in shape during these colder months.
Luna's approach is similar: he'll be training extensively throughout this offseason "break."
"This is maybe my most exciting offseason yet," Luna says. "It's definitely my most important offseason. I'm seeing it as my preseason to my preseason. I'm not treating it like an offseason. I'm going to manage it well. I'm going to clear the space from 10 months of soccer, but I'm going to be working my butt off."
Historically, some of the league's biggest players have worked their butt off in a different way: by going on loan. It'll be an option for some, but those situations have become far less common in recent years.
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Are loans in consideration?
During previous World Cup years, MLS stars like David Beckham famously spent time with AC Milan, Landon Donovan crushed it for Everton. Thierry Henry famously got one final swansong with Arsenal in his final years, giving fans one last goal and one last memory. Those three are among those to have spent an MLS offseason on loan, and you can understand the allure: competitive games in big leagues at a time when, normally, you wouldn't have much going on.
Son Heung-Min, one of the biggest names in MLS, had been rumoured for a loan of his own. He's not interested, he insisted. His focus on rest, recovery, and Los Angeles FC as he heads into his weeks-long break without the intention of moving.
“I’ve never spoken to any club about a winter move. Such talk is simply untrue,” Son said, reported TV Chosun. “For me, showing respect to my club and giving everything where I play – that’s what matters most. That won’t change. I won’t leave LAFC this winter, or ever, while I’m here. I respect this club deeply. As long as I’m wearing this badge, there will be no such thing as a loan or a move. Never.”
“I’ll rest well, recharge, and get myself in the best condition for the World Cup,” Son added. “My focus is fully on LAFC and my country – nothing else."
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Resetting and starting new
At the end of the day, staying fit is vital, but players are human, too. Because of that, there is a necessity to restart the body and mind. For someone like Freeman, who enjoyed an award-winning breakout 2025, the offseason is a natural conclusion.
"I think everyone knows I probably need a reset, and maybe not even a reset, but a rest. I want to see family, maybe travel a little," Freeman told GOAL. "Maybe even go visit my national team teammates in different countries. For me, it's going to be a reset. I'm going to train and be fit as well, but it's been a long year for me, and I want to share this time with he people that have been supporting me."
Colorado Rapids star Paxten Aaronson will be doing the same. He's blending work with pleasure as he plans to spend his offseason going back to where it all began: training with his dad.
"I think some of the best preseasons I've come into at my sharpest have been when I've just been able to train with my dad," he said. "I haven't really been able to with the European off-season, just because they're so condensed. So yeah, I think off-season is a great time to kind of just work on the things you don't get to in the real season – just because you're so focused on the match minutes and your body's always fatigued."
Everyone will have a different approach and a different system. The key thing is finding whatever works for each particular player. Everyone, though, will be eager to start the 2026 campaign hot, and that campaign doesn't start in February. In many ways, it's already started.
"This is not an offseason for me," Luna says, "but a season where I get to combine having fun with my family with the work ethic and understanding that this year is a huge year that could be an amazing year. That's the mindset."
Stats highlights from the first day’s play at Headingley, where Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal scored hundreds
Sampath Bandarupalli20-Jun-2025359 for 3 – India’s highest total on the opening day of a Test in England. Their previous best was 338 for 7 at Edgbaston in 2022.India’s 359 is also the highest opening-day total for a visiting team in England since South Africa made 362 for 4 at The Oval in 2003.5 – Indians with a century on captaincy debut in men’s Tests, including Shubman Gill. His unbeaten 127 at Headingley is the third-highest score on captaincy debut by an India batter, behind Vijay Hazare’s 164* against England in 1951 and Virat Kohli’s 141 against Australia in 2014.ESPNcricinfo Ltd3 – Test hundreds for Yashasvi Jaiswal away from home – 171 in Roseau in 2023, 161 in Perth in 2024, and now 101 in Leeds. All three centuries have come in his first Test in these countries. No other player has hundreds in their maiden Tests in the West Indies, Australia and England.23 years 174 days – Jaiswal’s age when he scored his hundred at Headingley. Syed Mushtaq Ali is the only younger India opener to score a Test hundred in England; he was 21 years and 221 days old when he scored 112 at Old Trafford in 1936.ESPNcricinfo Ltd402 – Number of international matches India have played between Karun Nair’s previous Test appearance in 2017 and this one – the most games a player has missed between two appearances for his country. Nair missed 77 Test matches in these eight years. Only Jaydev Unadkat (118), Dinesh Karthik (87) and Parthiv Patel (83) missed more Tests between two appearances for India.1 – B Sai Sudharsan became the first India player to bag a duck on debut while batting at No. 3 in men’s Tests. Only six Indians, including Sai Sudharsan, have bagged a duck in the top three on their Test debut.Sai Sudharsan’s first-class average coming into this match was 39.93, the lowest for a specialist batter on Test debut for India since 1990. Wriddhiman Saha made his Test debut as a batter with a first-class average of 35.59, but was predominantly a wicketkeeper.
From Scott McTominay overhead kicks to Troy Parrott mania and the stuff of dreams for Curaçao and Haiti, the November international break has been one full of drama.
It has also provided a far clearer picture of what the 2026 World Cup may look like. All but six countries have now booked their places in North America, with the remaining spots to be determined by playoffs taking place in March 2026, which will see four additional European teams qualify.
Along with Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Italy are the biggest name in the European playoffs, with Poland, Denmark, Ukraine, Turkey and the Czech Republic among others being forced to take that route.
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The remaining two places will come from the inter-confederation playoffs featuring Iraq, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jamaica, Suriname, Bolivia and New Caledonia.
The draw for the finals will take place in Washington on Friday, December 5 at midday local time (5pm UK time), but AI has jumped the gun and predicted every group including those teams yet to be officially decided.
Group A – USA, Denmark, Norway, Japan
According to the supercomputer, hosts USA will meet Denmark, Norway and Japan in the group stage. Having qualified automatically due to their host status, America will hope to advance into the knockouts in what would be an interesting group. A lot, of course, relies on whether Denmark can qualify through the playoffs.
The Danes lost late on against Scotland and were forced to settle for a place in the playoffs rather than automatic qualification. Japan, meanwhile, could be ones to watch after they lost just once in World Cup qualifying, and Norway could yet cause a few upsets thanks to Erling Haaland. In a well-balanced group, though, both USA and Denmark would be favourites to advance.
Group B – Mexico, Ecuador, South Africa, Iraq
Like USA, Mexico have had their 2026 place sealed ever since it was announced that they would host the World Cup and the supercomputer predicts that they’ll be handed a fairly routine group to match. Joined by Ecuador, South Africa and Iraq – who just kept their qualification hopes alive with a late victory over UAE – Mexico would be expected to advance in such a group.
Group C – Canada, Iran, Uzbekistan, Republic of Ireland
Canada, the final hosts of the tournament, will be joined in Group C by Iran, Uzbekistan and Ireland – who will need to qualify through the playoffs – according to the supercomputer.
Canada should feel confident if the AI prediction is right. They could top the group in front of their home crowd.
Group D – Argentina, Switzerland, Ivory Coast, Haiti
Can Argentina retain their crown on Lionel Messi’s likely last appearance on the big stage? That’s the question. They turned on the style at times in qualifying and will be expected to advance in a group with Switzerland, Ivory Coast and Haiti if the supercomputer’s prediction comes true.
That’s not to say it’s the most routine group, though. Ivory Coast have a strong team in their own right, boasting the likes of Amad Diallo, Simon Adingra and Evann Guessand. The same, meanwhile, can be said for Switzerland, who have the likes of Granit Xhaka to call on. Argentina should top the group, but then the fight for second place would be on, especially if Haiti cause any upsets.
Group E – Brazil, Croatia, Tunisia, New Zealand
Out of all the groups that the supercomputer has predicted, Group E stands out as the most routine so far. Both Brazil and Croatia would likely compete for top spot, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side favourites to come out on top, whilst Tunisia and New Zealand battle it out for third place.
There would still be room for some shocks, but the dominance of Brazil and Croatia would likely prove too strong. Ancelotti’s side will especially be one to watch, as they weigh-up whether to bring Neymar to the World Cup and others in pursuit of glory at long last.
Group F – Uruguay, Netherlands, Egypt, Jordan
If anyone was ever keen to see Darwin Nunez up against Virgil van Dijk then Group F will be the one for you, according to the AI prediction. It has predicted that Uruguay will square off against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, Jordan and the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup.
On paper, it looks like a routine draw for the two favourites of the group to go through, but seven-time AFCON winners Egypt are not to be taken lightly as long as Salah is fit and firing.
Group G – Belgium, Italy, Senegal, Saudi Arabia
Despite the fact that they’ll need to go through the playoffs, the supercomputer has predicted that Italy will take part in their first World Cup in over 10 years. It would signal a huge sigh of relief around the country if that proved to be the case, but their recent form suggests that it could yet be a playoff to forget once again.
Meanwhile, if they do reach the World Cup, they may still face their demise. The computer has predicted that Italy will meet a brutal group including Belgium and Senegal, one of Africa’s strongest sides, while don’t ignore Saudi Arabia, who beat eventual champions Argentina at Qatar 2022.
Group H – England, Austria, Algeria, Curacao
The supercomputer has predicted that England will be drawn into a group with Austria, Algeria and the smallest-ever country by population to feature at a World Cup, Curacao.
It wouldn’t get much more routine for the Three Lions, who are looking to finally bring football home in the men’s game to follow in the footsteps of the successful Lionesses.
They couldn’t have asked for a better qualification process under Thomas Tuchel, either. England were untouchable going forward and going the other way. They’ve got the players and they’ve got a winning manager. Will this finally be the year?
Group I – France, Scotland, Ghana, Australia
It could be good news for Scotland. The computer believes they’ll be drawn with France, Australia and Ghana. It would be an ideal draw for Steve Clarke’s men, who just defeated Denmark in dramatic fashion to qualify.
The fact they’ve reached the World Cup is an achievement in itself, but they won’t just be there to take part. In a group with France, who are likely to top the group, Australia and Ghana, they should expect to compete for a place in the knockouts.
Group J – Spain, Morocco, Paraguay, Jamaica
Drawn in a group with Morocco, Paraguay and Jamaica, Spain will be expected to dominate and send an early statement at the World Cup. They already have the Euros under their belt and will now be gunning for World Cup glory.
They’re a country full of great footballing history and many are backing them, led by the talent of Lamine Yamal, to create even more.
Group K – Portugal, Colombia, Qatar, Cape Verde
Group K, according to the supercomputer, will be centred around Cristiano Ronaldo and what is likely to be his final chance to win the World Cup. He’s watched as Messi has lifted it in dramatic style and will now be desperate to get his own glory to truly cement his Portugal legacy.
In a group with Luis Diaz’s Colombia and underdogs Qatar and Cape Verde, Ronaldo will be expected to shine.
Group L – Germany, South Korea, Panama, Wales
Whilst Germany likely ease to top spot, South Korea could grab second place in Group L. Up against Panama and playoff contenders Wales, they could have a routine run at second, assuming Germany take control.
The 2014 World Cup winners should be desperate to improve on their recent record and reclaim their throne, although they may have to stifle a Welsh side boosted by scoring seven times in their final qualifying game.
Precocious 42-ball century breaks London’s spirit to book place in Sunday’s final at Lord’s
Valkerie Baynes30-Aug-2025Northern Superchargers 214 for 5 (Perrin 101, Litchfield 35, Carey 31*) beat London Spirit 172 for 9 (Redmayne 50*, Knott 40, Ballinger 3-22, Sutherland 3-40) by 42 runsJust one delivery stood between 18-year-old Davina Perrin and a personal piece of history, but that became a mere detail when her astonishing 42-ball century powered Northern Superchargers to a record total and into Sunday’s Hundred final against Southern Brave at Lord’s.Perrin fell just short of Harry Brook’s 41-ball record for the fastest century in the competition, but her precocious efforts were more than enough to settle Saturday’s Eliminator against London Spirit at The Kia Oval, as Superchargers won by a thumping 42 runs.”One ball? Damn,” was Perrin’s response to Sky Sports immediately after the Superchargers’ innings ended on 214 for 5, the highest total of the women’s Hundred competition to date. “I’d better hit the gym so I can send those sixes a bit further.”But this was not a moment to dwell what her remarkable innings was not. This is what the women’s Hundred is about, unearthing a star of the future in a show that had first-time viewers and loyal fans transfixed.Perrin usurped the only other century in the history of the women’s competition, scored by Tammy Beaumont off 52 balls in 2023. Ending on 101 off 43, Perrin propelled Superchargers well beyond the previous team best of 181 for 3, set up for Welsh Fire by that Beaumont ton. And Perrin played the leading hand in knocking defending champions London Spirit out of the tournament.Perrin was part of the Birmingham Phoenix squads in 2022 and 2023 without playing a game, before moving to Superchargers last season, scoring 33 runs across four matches. Her previous innings of note this year had been an unbeaten 72 in her second match of the campaign as Superchargers defeated Trent Rockets by eight wickets in Nottingham.Her latest knock was impeccable. Perrin reached fifty off just 25 balls, including three sixes, over deep square leg, over long-off and then long-on all in the space of 13 deliveries.Perrin dominated a 105-run opening stand•ECB/Getty Images
She clubbed Eva Gray for a second six in one set of five – Perrin’s fourth of five in all – brilliantly over long-on again to leave Spirit in no doubt that hers was the wicket they needed. But she looked unstoppable when she cleared the boundary once more with an 82-metre slog over deep midwicket off Charli Knott.When Alice Davidson-Richards was run out attempting a second run, it ended a 49-ball opening stand worth 105.With the fastest century in the competition in sight, Perrin pulled Sarah Glenn to deep midwicket, the ball landing millimetres short of hitting the boundary cushion on the full, and she followed up immediately with another four cut expertly through backward point.Phoebe Litchfield chimed in with six, four, four off Dean as she built a handy 35 in 19 balls.While extra cover denied Perrin a run off the 41st ball she faced, that did nothing to dampen her celebrations off Gray’s next ball, as a superb late cut for four brought up her century.And she couldn’t remove the smile from her face as she strode off the field amid warm handshakes from her opponents and a standing ovation from the crowd when she was run out off a deflection from bowler Knott, after Annabel Sutherland had driven hard back down the pitch.”It felt pretty brilliant,” Perrin said. “It’s not every day you get to find yourself in that state of flow and in the zone. I’m not thinking a lot when I’m in a state of mind like that. I’m typically looking at taking every ball as it comes.”There was a time when the keeper turned to me and went, ‘Have you thought about your hundred yet?’ and I was like, ‘What, as in the competition?’ Then I was like, ‘Oh no, the hundred.’ That was the first time I glanced up at my score and I thought, ‘Ooh, this is going alright actually.'”Perrin’s innings took her into fourth place on this year’s run-scorers’ list with 243, behind only former Australia captain Meg Lanning, current Australia regular Litchfield, and England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt.Grace Harris, now sixth on that list after an explosive start to the tournament, had a day to forget. Her only set of five, the last of Superchargers’ innings, went for 22 runs as Nicola Carey powered her way to an unbeaten 31 off just 12 balls.Harris was then bowled for a second-ball duck as Grace Ballinger put an early dent in Spirit’s response with the first of her 3 for 22 in 20 balls. Ballinger followed with the wicket of Dani Gibson, bookending Kate Cross’s dismissal of Kira Chathli as Spirit slumped to 12 for 3 after 12 deliveries.Knott offered a fighting 40 off just 16, which included a 63-run stand for the fourth wicket with Cordelia Griffith, who was caught by Davidson-Richards to give Sutherland the first of her three wickets, and Georgia Redmayne raised an unbeaten 50 off 29. But Perrin had long since broken London’s spirit.
Joao Neves' claims the Lyon players 'forgot' to mark him as the 19-year-old Portuguese midfielder cinched a header to drive Paris Saint-Germain to a 3-2 win in stoppage time, sealing his side’s return to the top of Ligue 1. But the win came amid chaos, with Nicolas Tagliafico’s red card moments earlier leaving Lyon furious and reigniting debate over refereeing consistency in France.
PSG edge Lyon in fiery five-goal thriller
PSG reclaimed the Ligue 1 top spot with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Lyon, but it was far from straightforward. Luis Enrique’s side dominated possession and looked in control early on, with Warren Zaire-Emery opening the scoring. Lyon fought back valiantly as Afonso Moreira levelled before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s strike restored PSG’s advantage. Ainsley Maitland-Niles then unleashed a thunderbolt from distance to make it 2-2, setting up a dramatic finale.
It was Neves who ultimately stole the show. Rising unmarked in stoppage time, the midfielder met Vitinha’s corner with perfect timing, nodding home the decisive goal.
Enrique praised both Neves and the team’s resilience, saying afterwards: “He has high ambitions. Every player on our team is important, especially if they can score. I hope to have many players back soon so we can finally have a normal training session. Since the start of the season, nothing has been normal.”
Neves, still smiling after the match, reflected on his unlikely match-winner with a touch of humour, saying that defenders had “forgotten about him” in the box. He admitted it had been a tough, high-paced battle but stressed that what mattered most was the victory.
AdvertisementAFPNeves jokes that Lyon defenders didn't expect him to score header
After the game, Neves reflected on his goal with maturity and humour. Asked about his goal, the 21-year-old said: "Because I'm small, they forgot about me. For me, heading the ball is a strong point. It was difficult, a very complicated game for us. I think we still have things to improve, but we won and that's the most important thing. It was an important game, high-paced, with tough duels. We were prepared, we did almost everything well, but there are things to improve."
The Portuguese midfielder has just returned from a left hamstring injury that sidelined him through October. However, he wasted no time reasserting himself in PSG’s midfield. Since returning to full fitness, he's now scored four goals in six Ligue 1 appearances, including key strikes against Bayern Munich and now Lyon. Beyond numbers, Neves’ control and composure have given PSG’s engine room a renewed sense of balance, proving vital amid the team’s injury woes.
Tagliafico’s red card sparks outrage from Lyon
Lyon’s heartbreak was compounded by controversy. Just moments before Neves' winner, Lyon left-back Tagliafico was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Vitinha during a PSG attack. The decision infuriated Lyon’s bench, who argued it was excessively harsh and changed the outcome of the game.
Assistant coach Jorge Maciel vented his frustration: “There’s a real problem with consistency in the refereeing. Everyone saw the fouls we suffered; there were no cards. Then we lose a player for one challenge. It’s incomprehensible.”
Corentin Tolisso echoed the sentiment, saying: “It’s infuriating to lose like that. We played a good match, but refereeing needs to improve, there are mistakes every weekend.”
Lyon head scout Matthieu Louis-Jean went even further, calling referee Benoit Bastien’s performance “a disaster,” insisting that crucial calls “consistently favoured PSG.” Lyon’s players left the pitch furious, feeling robbed of a hard-earned result in a game that had showcased their fighting spirit.
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Getty Images SportInjuries, fatigue and the road ahead for PSG
Despite the win, Enrique’s challenges are far from over. PSG’s squad has been ravaged by injuries – Achraf Hakimi is out with ankle sprain and is ruled out long-term, Ousmane Dembele is facing calf strain, Nuno Mendes out with knee sprain, and Desire Doue is in rehabilitation and will remain sidelined. Their absences have disrupted rhythm and preparation, as Enrique admitted: “Since the start of the season, nothing has been normal. It’s difficult to prepare like this.”
However, adversity has opened the door for PSG’s younger talents. Senny Mayulu and Kang In Lee have impressed in extended roles, bringing energy and creativity to a side adapting on the fly. Winger Ibrahim Mbaye also registered his 10th appearance of the season for PSG coming off the bench in the Lyon game.
The upcoming international break offers a welcome pause before the French side heads towards a difficult schedule with matches against Le Havre and Rennes in the league and Tottenham in the Champions League.