Neymar Jr hopes to do for Kylian Mbappé at Paris Saint-Germain what Lionel Messi did for him at Barcelona, the Brazilian superstar has

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1 NEWSLETTER Week 10 LIGUE 1: Neymar to play Messi role for Mbappé Neymar Jr hopes to do for Kylian Mbappé at Paris Saint-Germain what Lionel Messi did for him at Barcelona, the Brazilian superstar has declared. Mbappé joined Neymar at the Parc des Princes this summer and the duo have hit it off instantly. Clearly good friends off the pitch, the pair have built a devastating understanding on it, helping PSG move six points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table and make a 100% start to the UEFA Champions League group stage. They exchanged a remarkable 24 passes in Wednesday's 4-0 Champions League win at Anderlecht, and Neymar aims to help his young team-mate - seven years his junior - scale the heights of the game just as Messi assisted his rise at Barça. "Kylian is my friend. He's an amazing guy who does very good things," said Neymar. "I want to help him as best I can. I hope to be able to do for him what Lionel Messi did for me at Barcelona." Dani Alves tells PSG: 'Keep calm and win trophies' Dani Alves has urged no-one to get carried away by Paris Saint-Germain's performances this season until they add silverware to crown their on-pitch success. PSG are the only unbeaten side in Ligue 1 Conforama this season, currently sitting six points clear of the chasing pack and - even at this early stage in the campaign - are being hotly tipped to win back the domestic crown AS Monaco took from them in Unai Emery's men, who lifted the pre-season Trophée des Champions, are also peerless on Europe with Wednesday's UEFA Champions League win against Anderlecht giving them a 100% record after three group-stage matches with 12 goals scored, none conceded. Expectations at the Parc des Princes have gone sky-high with the arrivals of Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappé over the summer. But Alves, who won three Champions Leagues and six La Liga titles as a member of the all-conquering Barcelona side put together by Pep Guardiola, wants the squad to keep their feet on the ground. "To hope to become one of the best teams in the world, you have to win trophies," the Brazil international full-back said following the 4-0 midweek triumph in Brussels. "We're improving and it's clear we have quality players, but we'll see what we have achieved at the end." Malcom: 'Neymar is my hero' Bordeaux star Malcom hailed Neymar as his hero after coming into close contact with his fellow Brazilian at the Parc des Princes a fortnight ago. Malcom also revealed his World Cup ambitions? 10/20/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel / Ligue1.com 1

2 Neymar's PSG and Malcom's Bordeaux were both undefeated coming into the match and, naturally, both sets of fans were in confident mood, galvanised by their respective Brazilian stars, their every move tracked by The Ligue 1 Show on bein Sports. A Bordeaux fan said: "Malcom's been unstoppable this season. I think he'll inspire us to victory again tonight." A PSG fan countered: "There's no comparison! Neymar's on a totally different level, he's already proved his worth. I think he'll outshine Malcom easily." For Bordeaux to achieve something in the capital, the travelling fans knew they needed Malcom to shine: "He's an excellent player! We haven't had a player of Malcom's calibre at Bordeaux in a long time. I hope he'll do the business, and score a thunderbolt in the 89th minute for the win, that would be nice!" As predicted by PSG's fans, it was Neymar who shone first in his own back yard. After Kylian Mbappe was brought down, the world?s most expensive player stood over the free-kick and curled in an unstoppable effort. Beaten goalkeeper Benoît Costil conceded: "He's been impressing for several years already, it's not like we discovered Neymar's talent today. It was anything but a surprise!" Not content with his stunning opening goal, Neymar played Edinson Cavani in just 10 minutes later. The hug that followed was one the Parc des Princes had been waiting for. Malcom though, like his team-mates, struggled to get on the ball and the frustration began to show. Malcom said: "It's so tough when you play against the world's best." Bordeaux coach Jocelyn Gourvennec added: "He took a bit of time to get up and running, but he found his rhythm eventually." Not before Neymar had scored PSG's fourth from the spot though. Neymar was winning his Brazilian duel hands down. Not that the real experts were surprised. Malcom, after all, is still learning his trade. Colin Vieira, of TV Globo, said: "He's no Neymar, that's for sure, but he has a big following in Brazil, he is creating quite a buzz back home." Gourvennec added: "Please don't compare them. Malcom's still very young, he's just starting out, whereas Neymar's won almost everything already." There was yet more frustration for Malcom after the break as Kylian Mbappé netted a sixth Parisian goal, his first at the Parc des Princes.But Bordeaux never gave up and Malcom managed to get on the scoresheet with a penalty. The perfect spot-kick was his fourth goal of the season, and just reward for his valiant efforts in a humbling 6-2 loss. Malcom commented: "It's a pleasure to face Neymar. He's my hero. I played well but he was just too good, as always. We have to keep working to do better next time." And while the Parisians celebrated victory, Neymar and Malcom were spotted deep in conversation, before heading for the stands. "I asked him to come over for a selfie with my family," said Malcom. "My mum and grandmother were there. He was humble enough to do so, it was a great moment for my family, and for me too!" 10/20/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel / Ligue1.com 2

3 Neymar then left Malcom?s side to jet off to Brazil and join up with his international colleagues. It's a trip he might soon be making with his new friend from Bordeaux. Marquinhos, who captained Brazil in their final World Cup qualifier, said: "I was aware of him in Brazil. I knew he was a talented player, a special player, capable of making the difference in a game." Vieira added: "I'm sure he will be in the Brazilian national team soon. He will be in the starting XI by the World Cup in Russia." And Malcom is ambitious: "It's my dream to play in a World Cup! I will keep working, so who knows what the future holds." Luiz Gustavo sends out Neymar warning Olympique de Marseille midfielder Luiz Gustavo has stated it is "almost impossible" to stop fellow Brazilian and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar Jr. The summer arrival from Barcelona has scored six times and provided five assists in just six Ligue 1 Conforama outings for the capital club, helping PSG move three points clear at the top of the table. Luiz Gustavo, signed by OM from Wolfsburg this summer, has been impressive too in the centre of the pitch for his new club, who have eased into the top three with a run of three straight league wins. After their Week 9 meeting with RC Strasbourg Alsace, Marseille will play host to arch-rivals PSG in the Classique, and Luiz Gustavo expects to have his hands full in trying to keep Neymar under control. "It's difficult to stop Neymar," the former Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich midfielder said. "It's almost impossible to stop him doing what he wants to do on the pitch. I know his potential, and I'm very happy to play against him. We're going to try to muzzle him so he can't express himself freely." Giuly: 'Mbappé more pro than a young Messi' Former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona star Ludovic Giuly believes Kylian Mbappé is "more professional" than Lionel Messi was at the same age. Giuly played for Barça between 2004 and 2007, winning the UEFA Champions League with the blaugrana before losing his place to the then-teenage Messi. Mbappe, 18, who joined PSG from Monaco this summer, has had an equally meteoric rise, winning the Ligue 1 Conforama title last term and earning himself his first senior caps for France prior to making the switch to the capital. 10/20/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel / Ligue1.com 3

4 He has hit the ground running at the Parc des Princes, helping PSG move three points clear of his former club at the top of the table, and Giuly believes Mbappe has what it takes to join Messi as one of the game's greats. "Mbappe is more professional than Messi at the same age. He knows how to handle his body better. Leo had a lot of problems with his health as he was growing. It was more difficult for him. Kylian has the advantage of knowing himself better and being able to recover better," explained Giuly, who played for both PSG and Monaco after starting his career with Olympique Lyonnais, his hometown club. "The club kept him out of the limelight for two years and he burst onto the scene at 17 in Barcelona. Kylian, it's the same thing. He has huge potential. He has everything it takes to be a great. He's professional, has the right mentality. He made the right choice to join PSG in order to grow." CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: PSG WALLOP ANDERLECHT The MCN were all on the scoresheet as Paris Saint-Germain beat an enterprising Anderlecht 4-0 to maintain their 100% record in Group B of this season's UEFA Champions League. PSG were given a serious test in the first half but came through to record another large victory after their 5-0 at Celtic and the 3-0 at home to Bayern Munich. The Ligue 1 Conforama leaders will look to book their qualification when they entertain Anderlecht on Matchday 4 in a fortnight. Just as against Bayern Munich on Matchday 2, PSG made the breakthrough inside three minutes. At the end of a controlled move, Kylian Mbappé played a one-two with Marco Verratti. With Matz Sels expecting Mbappé to square the ball, the youngster went for the near post and scored through the goalkeeper's legs. Anderlecht had lost their first two games in the section but actually played the better football for the rest of the first half, creating numerous chances. Committed to an attractive style under new coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck, Anderlecht have a gem of a player in Henry Onyekuru. The 20-year-old, on loan from Everton, looked as quick as Mbappé as he gave Dani Alves a torrid time. Fortunately for PSG, Alphonse Areola was in terrific form between the sticks. First he saved from an Onyekuru header and then five minutes later came out to shut down the angle after Onyekuru had left Dani Alves trailing. Lukasz Teodorczyk was the next Anderlecht player to flounder against Areola, the 'keeper getting down well to save a left-footed effort. Ovverrun in mindfield, PSG still created chances. Sels read a bit of Mbappé skill on the edge of the box and Neymar - amazingly - missed the target on the follow-up with the goal at his mercy. PSG's second - their tenth of the European season - arrived a minute before half-time and it was the oeuvre of the MCN. Neymar's shot was pushed upwards by Sels and Mbappé unselfishly nodded across the six-yard box for Edinson Cavani to head home his customary Champions League goal. Cavani rattled the crossbar early in the second half after more sterling Mbappé service. PSG looked likely to score another and Neymar headed wide a cross from his great mate Dani Alves. They should have scored on the hour but Cavani lost out in a one-on-one and then Mbappé skied the rebound. 10/20/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel / Ligue1.com 4

5 Neymar got his goal on 65 minutes against a tiring Anderlecht. The free-kick wasn't as spectacular as his one against Bordeaux but ended with the same result as the Brazilian deliberately fired under the wall to score. Onyekuru hit the bar with the goal at his mercy as Anderlecht were denied a goal they deserved for their first-half display in particular. PSG go to Olympique de Marseille for Le Classique on Sunday and Unai Emery made his substitutions with that rendezvous in mind. There was still time for sub Angel Di Maria to clip home a fourth goal before the final whistle was blown. THE PLAYER: Kylian Mbappé At 18, the former Monaco forward Mbappé is the highest scoring teenager in UEFA Champions League history. As well as the eighth goal of his young career, the selfless Mbappé set up the second for Cavani. He spurned several late chances to enhance his stats. THE STAT: 7 Edinson Cavani has scored in seven straight UEFA Champions League games. The only two other players to have achieved that are Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud Van Nistelrooy. The Uruguayan returned from a minor foot injury to net. Two other Cavani strikes were chalked off for offside. Emery sets sights on Classique Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery turned his attentions to Sunday's Ligue 1 Conforama Classique with Olympique de Marseille after Wednesday's convincing UEFA Champions League win at Anderlecht. Unai Emery (Paris Saint-Germain coach): "It was important to score early. Anderlecht are a very good side and created a number of scoring chances in the first half. At half-time, we said we needed to control the game better, and that's what we managed to do in the second half. We carved out more chances than them. Now we turn attentions to the Classico on Sunday. We know that the supporters are looking forward to this match. We will do everything we can to prepare well and bring the three points home for the fans." Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain forward): "We really enjoy playing out on pitch. We want to play well in the Champions League, and that's what we've done so far. We are winning well and bringing home another three points. I think we can do even better. We played well, but sometimes you have to know how to control a game because we still have a lot of matches to come..." Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain midfielder): "We scored early, but Anderlecht are a very good team and played with real intensity. They had chances to get back into the game. But tonight we claimed the three points and we're happy with the result, even if we can always improve. We were a bit lucky at times, but we have a very solid defence this year." Alphonse Areola (Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper): "I'm happy with my current form, but I can't stop here. I have to keep working hard. I give my best each and every time. I had a lot of work to do tonight; it was a tough game, but we never panicked. I'm a Parisian, and I know the supporters can't wait for the Classico. We will work hard to be ready for Sunday." 10/20/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel / Ligue1.com 5

6 Falcao on target but Monaco beaten Radamel Falcao found the net but AS Monaco still slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Besiktas JK on Tuesday to leave their UEFA Champions League hopes in the balance. With his side having taken just a point from their opening two Group G games, Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim had acknowledged anything but a win for his side would leave them struggling to reach the next round. But last season's semi-finalists, surprisingly beaten 3-0 by Porto at the Stade Louis II in their last European outing, were on the back foot from the start. In fact, they would have been behind just seven minutes in when Cenk Tosun's shot was parried into the path of Ryan Babel by Danijel Subasic? the Dutchman scored, but the offside flag denied him the opening goal. Thomas Lemar stretched Fabri with a free-kick (18') but Atiba Hutchinson (21') and Talisca (29') both went close before Falcao struck? picked out by Keita Baldé, the Colombia international squirmed away from Pepe before firing home (30'). The lead lasted just four minutes as Cenk Tosun squeezed between two defenders to finish Ricardo Quaresma's ball (34'), his powerful, well-placed header leaving Subasic with no chance. After good work from Almamy Touré, Baldé went close to putting the hosts back in front just before the interval (45+1'). Instead, the visitors seized the initiative and all three points early in the second half. Quaresma found Tolgay Arslan, who sent a shot off a post? Babel picked up the ricochet and teed up Tosun, whose right-foot shot from close range was too good for Subasic (54'). THE PLAYER: Radamel Falcao Back in the side after being rested for last Friday's trip to Olympique Lyonnais, the Colombia international again showed his importance to his side with yet another goal. Only it wasn't enough? THE STAT: 13 Falcao's goal was his 13th from 16 shots on target in all competitions this season. Jardim: 'We need seven points' Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim has targeted a haul of at least seven points from the last three Champions League group games in order for last season's semi-finalists to have a chance of making it out of Group G. Leonardo Jardim (Monaco coach): "In the first half we were out of luck and didn't take our chances. Besiktas played simpler football than us. The second goal the Turks scored was lucky because there was an offside that wasn't blown up for. Besiktas were more experienced and more mature in their play and controlled the key moments better. It will be very difficult to qualify but there are still nine points up for grabs. We need to believe as it is 10/20/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel / Ligue1.com 6

7 still possible. I think we need a minimum of seven points from our last three games in order to think about going through. Football is cyclical and we need to deal with these difficult times and rediscover our confidence." Djibril Sidibé (Monaco defender) "We lacked a lot of ingredients in tonight?s game and when you play at this level you cannot afford that. What?s happened as happened and we need to move on and focus on what we do well. We?ll talk about this amongst ourselves. We need to perform better on an individual and a collective level. We need to be more aggressive and play at greater speed. As long as there?s still a chance of qualifying we?ll keep believing in our chances. We know it will be difficult though."?enol Güne? (Besiktas coach): "We deserved to win and we stayed disciplined. We controlled the game and we had a lot of chances. Nothing has been decided yet and even Monaco, with one point from their first three games, can still qualify for the knockout stages. We've won all three of our group games and this was a great evening for Besiktas." EUROPA LEAGUE: Olympique duo claim wins Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique de Marseille both recorded UEFA Europa League wins on Thursday but OGC Nice were beaten despite a goal from Mario Balotelli. Everton FC 1-2 Olympique Lyonnais After successive draws, OL headed to Goodison Park seeking a first win to boost their Group E challenge. When Marçal was brought down inside the Everton penalty area, Nabil Fekir drilled the spot-kick low past Jordan Pickford to give Bruno Genesio's side the ideal start (6'). Anthony Lopes denied Kevin Mirallas (32') before Fekir saw a free-kick ricochet off the head of Tom Davies and strike the woodwork with Pickford stranded (36'). Lopes saved from Davy Klaassen (39') and Ademola Lookman (46') before Ashley Williams powered in a header to level (69'). Lyon, however, regrouped, and when substitute Maxwel Cornet surged down the right, his low cross was brilliantly flicked in by Bertrand Traoré (75'). Jordan Ferri (83') and Cornet (90+2') might have added a third for OL but for Pickford; Dominic Calvert-Lewin would have had an equaliser but for Lopes (84' & 87') in a frantic finish. Olympique de Marseille 2-1 Vitoria SC Marseille warmed up for Sunday's Classique with a win at the Stade Orange Vélodrome, but had to come from behind to do it after Denis Martins had glanced a 17th-minute cross beyond Steve Mandanda. Suspended for last weekend's 3-3 draw in Strasbourg, Lucas Ocampos made a spectacular return to the side, acrobatically volleying in the equaliser just before the half-hour mark (28'). The Argentine forward was also involved as OM won their fourth European home game of the campaign, teeing up Maxime Lopez - the homegrown midfielder smashed a shot high into the net from just inside the box to keep OM second in Group I. OGC Nice 1-3 S.S. Lazio The hosts could not have asked for a better start with Mario Balotelli putting them ahead just four minutes in, but a lapse in concentration from Dante 10/20/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel / Ligue1.com 7

8 allowed Felipe Caicedo to sneak in between the Nice captain and goalkeeper Yoan Cardinale to poke in an equaliser less than 60 seconds later (5'). The former Manchester City striker then teed up Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (65') to put the Italian visitors in front with a crisp, well-placed sidefoot finish. The Serbian midfielder then headed home at the near post from a corner (89') as Nice pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Lucien Favre's men are second in the section, three points behind their opponents and five clear of their Group K rivals. UEL Matchday 3 reactions Olympique Lyonnais boss Bruno Genesio said his side deserved to beat a combative Everton side in Thursday's UEFA Europa League game while OM counterpart Rudi Garcia saw encouraging signs from his team's win. Everton FC 1-2 Olympique Lyonnais Bruno Genesio (Lyon coach): "It was a real European match, a real English game with a lot of long balls and intensity in challenges. We deserved to win because we weathered the Everton storm after they equalised. We sat back a bit before half-time, we were a little bit dug in in front of our goal due to long balls. We broke out two or three times, and could have done better to improve our lead before they equalised. OGC Nice 1-3 S.S. Lazio Lucien Favre (Nice coach): "We played a very good first half with a lot of possession and calm. We defended well. Until it went 2-1, it was OK. We didn't have time to catch breath after we went in front. We had barely sat down and it was 1-1. It would have been better to stay at 1-0. Right now, we're paying dearly for everything. Of course it's hard for everyone. We can't play the match over again. We have to work and put right what needs to be corrected." Olympique de Marseille 2-1 Vitoria SC Rudi Garcia (Marseille coach): "It would have been perfect if we hadn't conceded a goal. Our first part of the first half was quite mediocre without a big change in rhythm. We dozed a little, didn't go forward much or accelerate, but afterwards we let ourselves go and we had 65 minutes at a very high level that allowed us to get the three points." 10/20/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel / Ligue1.com 8

Paris Saint-Germain maintained their three-point lead a top the standings with victory over an unlucky OL thanks to two own-goals while

NEWSLETTER Week 7 LIGUE 1 Week 6 review: Paris pass OL test, Falcao fires Paris Saint-Germain maintained their three-point lead a top the standings with victory over an unlucky OL thanks to two own-goals