Media Frenzy: Atalanta’s Flight Sparks Concerns Over Injuries at PSG

Marseille Disappointed

Olympique de Marseille feels robbed after their 1-0 loss to Atalanta. Fans in Marseille express their disappointment, especially following what they deem a major refereeing error. The goal by Lazar Samardzic came after an apparent handball in the box that went unpunished. Frustrated and distracted, Marseille conceded the only goal of the match. “A costly mistake,” declared L’Equipe this morning. This marks the third defeat for Roberto De Zerbi’s team on the European stage. “It’s frustrating,” reported La Provence on its front page, while La Marseillaise referred to their performance as “disappointing.” Marseille is understandably upset over the officiating, as the referee did not even consult VAR for this incident. Roberto De Zerbi was furious post-match, but he wasn’t alone; club president Pablo Longoria approached officials for clarification. Medhi Benatia, speaking in mixed zone, candidly stated he felt they were robbed.

PSG Missing Key Players

In France, the focus is on the injury crisis hitting PSG, referred to as “the calamity” in reports from L’Equipe. The club confirmed that Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, and Nuno Mendes will be sidelined for an extended period. “Achraf Hakimi has a severe ankle sprain, Ousmane Dembélé has a calf strain, and Nuno Mendes has a knee sprain.” Following their defeat to Bayern Munich, PSG now has four injured players. Dembélé, Hakimi, Mendes, and Doué all ranked in the Top 15 of the recent Ballon d’Or. Coach Luis Enrique faces challenges while possibly looking for reinforcements in the upcoming winter transfer window. Initial concerns about Hakimi’s injury turned out to be a “false alarm,” as AS reported. He is expected to miss 6 to 8 weeks but should be fit to play in the upcoming African Cup of Nations with Morocco. “Falls are part of the journey; it’s the return that matters,” the right-back shared on social media. Kylian Mbappé, a close friend of Hakimi’s, commented on his post, “We’ll be there for you.”

Phil Foden Back in Action

Turning to England, Manchester City had a commanding 4-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund. Phil Foden shone with two goals, alongside contributions from Erling Haaland, who scored against his former club, and Rayan Cherki, who netted late in the match. The English press highlighted Foden’s return to form, noting his significant impact on the game. The Daily Mirror remarked that Foden reminded national coach Thomas Tuchel of his importance by scoring his first brace in the Champions League. Tuchel is set to announce his squad tomorrow for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania next week, having previously left Foden out of the last two selections. The Daily Mail described Foden’s performance as a “firework display,” as he scored both goals from outside the box.