Speaking to AFP – transcribed in L’Équipe – Paris Saint-Germain Director of Sport Leonardo has explained that he has not been in contact with Zinédine Zidane for the World Cup winner to take over as manager, nor has Mauricio Pochettino asked to leave the club.

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The Argentina manager had been strongly linked to a move back to the Premier League, notably to the currently-vacant Manchester United job. Le Parisien had reported earlier in the week that talks had been held with Zinédine Zidane, who would be the club’s first choice to replace the former Tottenham Hotspur man.

“We don’t want Pochettino to leave. He has never asked to leave and no club has contacted us regarding him.

“We have a lot of respect for Zinédine Zidane, for what he’s done as a player and as a manager, but I can very clearly tell you that there has been no contact, nor has any meeting with him been held.”

Speaking with L’Équipe, Bordeaux owner Gérard Lopez discussed the club’s transfer plans, explaining: “It’s like a puzzle. When you put the pieces on the table, you start with the edges.” 

The club was very active last summer during the transfer window. Will this again be the case this winter?“There may be some adjustments to be made but what’s needed, above all, is that the players we have signed get into a rhythm. Alberth Elis was injured, he has just scored four goals in five matches, [M’Baye] Niang has just arrived, Fransérgio came from another league, he’s starting to adapt.”

Does the large number of loan players and at the end of their contracts make things more difficult?“No, it is, above all, a question of knowledge of the league. Ligue 1 has this image of being the fifth best European league and therefore, in theory, weaker. It is not the case at all. A player I really like, Cesc Fabregas, has had a hard time at Monaco because people don’t realize the physical aspect of this league. Our project means that there has been significant turnover in the squad. This is what we have to work on.”

You have often highlighted your know-how, which proved its worth at Lille, but the amount of investment in launching your project was not the same. Can the Lille method really be applied to Bordeaux?“[The situations are] very comparable because the approach is the same. It’s the market that’s different. Three years ago, we were looking for players at €9m. Today, it’s €3m or €4m. In Lille, the results rose to a crescendo after a difficult first season. It’s similar here. We go transfer window by transfer window, adjusting. It’s like a puzzle. When you put the pieces on the table, you start with the edges. This is what we’re doing.”

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SAINT-ÉTIENNE – 1 (Bouanga 23)

Etienne Green, 9 – The Englishman made a host of superb saves. An early stop from Mbappé with his foot, a hand ahead of Mbappé on a dangerous cross and especially a stunning low hand from Mbappé at close range again stood out and that was just the first half. A similar second half palm to stop Neymar scoring was a highlight. Can’t be blamed for the goals. Outstanding overall.

Alpha Sissoko, 3 – Struggled with Mbappé during the first half and was lucky not to see a second yellow before he was withdrawn for fear of a red at the break.

Mickaël Nadé, 6

Timothée Kolodziejczak, 5 – Very unlucky to be sent off just before half time as the last man for a foul on Mbappé with Nade covering.

Miguel Trauco, 5

Yvann Maçon, 5

Mahdi Camara, 6 – ASSE looked far more comfortable with him back in midfield, after being used at right-back due to injuries of late, and his crucial tackle on Messi, who was about to shoot and probably score at 1-1, was key at the time.

Ryad Boudebouz, 6 – Limped off in the final quarter of the game but his rejuvenation continued with some neat build up play in central areas and, much like Khazri, has managed to greatly amp up his intensity of play.

Adil Aouchiche, 4 – Talented but typically erratic here and his expected progress continues to elude him. Withdrawn at half time with ASSE down to ten men.

Denis Bouanga, 6 – A threat on the counter throughout and stole in tuck home a rebound for 1-0 early on.

Wahbi Khazri, 6 – Continuing his superb form this season his lovely shaped ball created the ASSE goal while his interplay with Bouanga on the counter was a threat, even after the sending off.

Others: Moukoudi 6, Zaydou 4, Gourna 5, Calodat 5.

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PSG – 3 (Marquinhos 45+1, 90+1, Di Maria 78)

Gianluigi Donnarumma, 5

Achraf Hakimi, 4

Marquinhos, 8 – Perhaps not his most commanding defensive display but effectively won PSG the game with the front three misfiring for long periods via two superb headers. The long range headed equaliser was the goal of the game.

Sergio Ramos, 4 – Clearly not fit, the game seemed to happen around him and he was fortunate PSG played much of the game with ten men as he might have been exposed had the first half pattern of play continued.

Juan Bernat, 5

Danilo Pereira, 5

Idrissa Gueye, 5

Ángel Di María, 6 – Having not started any of the last three games, he was a prominent creative influence here and he stole in at the back post for the crucial second goal.

Neymar, 3 – Little to no impact as a goal threat and was anonymous creatively for long spells before he was subbed towards the end with injury.

Lionel Messi, 6 – For well over the first hour it was by far Lionel Messi’s worst PSG display to date. He sauntered around on auto pilot and his passes were often over hit while Di Maria took over as the main creator. He also managed to pull PSG’s best chance wide with Green out of position and his mis-control squandered another big opening after a mis-placed ASSE pass. However, being probably the greatest player of all time, he still managed to contribute three assists. His free kick set up the equaliser and he found free man Di Maria for 2-1 before crossing for Marquinhos’ sealer.

Kylian Mbappé, 3 – Looked tired and his finishing was worrying wasteful at times with Green getting the better of him. Green’s low save to his left was outstanding but several other major chances were squandered, a sliced volley wide stood out.

Others: Paredes 5, Ebimbe 5.

Reacting to Bordeaux’s home defeat to Brest this afternoon, club president Gérard Lopez has criticised the players’ attitude after giving up a half-time lead.

His words transcribed in L’Équipe, the owner lamented an ongoing issue at the club with regard to the players’ willingness to fight for results.

“The players’ attitude is unacceptable. We are in complete comfort, and that’s what penalised us today. We again showed our arrogance. It was already the case at Metz and it’s started again today. It shows that there is an issue which we are going to resolve together.”

“The problem is not a question of talent. We just have to show more desire on the pitch. We have to show desire to win, to fight, to run into challenges, to get hurt ourselves but also hurt the opponent.”

“Defeats are always possible, and we had a few which we didn’t deserve. But a defeat like today’s isn’t acceptable at all. Everyone needs to take a good look at themselves quickly. We have to show pride in order to honour the Girondins de Bordeaux badge.”

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In speaking with L’Équipe, Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas (72) discussed the departure of club legend turned sporting director, Juninho Pernambucano.

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Juninho is going to leave. How does this make you feel?“I’m sorry on a human level. He’s a quality person… He wants to rest and look to become a coach instead. But Lyon will always welcome him when he wants to come back. He’s one of those people who have participated in several victories, so we’re not going to take a negative position towards him at all.”

Do you regret his decision?“Yes, it’s regrettable, and I would’ve liked to have been warned beforehand… However, it doesn’t change our feelings towards Juni and he will always be at home here.”

Was the difficult relationship with [director of football] Vincent Ponsot the reason for his weariness?“Juni was tired, you could see it… He wasn’t happy, you could tell… he was struggling to take on a role in a large organization… It didn’t work, but that doesn’t make Juni a bad person, he’s a very good person and we will do everything to keep him close to OL.”

Speaking to L’Équipe, Lille centre-back José Fonte (37) explained he took a pay cut to stay at Lille for this season and he hopes to stay in Lille for next season too but is keen for his future to be decided soon. 

Can you tell us why and how you extended so late at Lille for this season last summer?“We’d spoken with the president in February-March, there was a common desire to extend. He gave me the opportunity to continue… I thought I could keep my previous contract as it was but, in the end, I understood the president’s decision and why that was impossible. I was happy to continue, with 30% less salary perhaps, but I feel good here. I believe in our project. There was the Champions League too, that was one of the main reasons, and the geographical proximity to my family [in London]. It was the best compromise.”

Will you be at Lille next season?“I’m calm. I try to be good on the pitch. If so, of course, everything will happen. But I can’t wait until the end of the season. I want to know if the club wants to continue with me or not so I can talk about it with my family – my career plan. I need to be sure in January, February at the latest. If the management takes a different path, there will be no problem but I want to prepare. I want to play another season, here or elsewhere, that’s for sure.”

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