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Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Cedric Kaze has put in the open the reason striker Said Ntibazonkiza was named in their travelling squad for their Mainland Premier League match against Mwadui FC on Saturday.

The Burundian striker signed for the Jangwani giants at the end of August and he was not eligible to play for the side until the mini-window opens on Wednesday.

However, despite the player being not eligible to play, he was part of the squad that travelled to Shinyanga for the match against Mwadui which Yanga won 5-0 at Kambarage Stadium,

Kaze, who is yet to lose a match since taking over the reins as the coach of the team, has now said he took the striker along to help him have a look at the conditions of the regional stadiums so he can plan on how to play in the venues when he gets started.

“I decided to travel with [Said] because I wanted him to know the environment of the stadiums in the regions, because when he practices with his teammates there is something he will be discovering what he should do in those stadiums,” Kaze said as quoted by Sokalabongo.

“Most importantly I instructed him to carefully examine the environment of the stadiums using his experience as if he finds something it may be beneficial to me as a coach and the team as a whole because we still have many matches to play away from the City.”

The win against Mwadui enabled Yanga to maintain their top spot on the 18-team league table as winger Deus Kaseke scored the opener in the first-half before they turned the screw to score goals from Yacouba Songne (two), Tuisila Kisinda, and skipper Lamine Moro.

Kaze feels the team should take confidence from the result and keep winning their matches until the end of the season.

“The most important thing now is to make sure that the performance of the team is consistent and thereafter, goals will automatically come," he added.

“For today [Saturday], we are grateful to pocket three points courtesy of five goals we scored and I believe that individual confidence of players will improve.

“Another three points that we came for, and I am glad we have managed to get them. The players showed their quality and it is true scoring goals increases the confidence of the team and players, individually, and it will help us to confidently approach forthcoming matches.”

Yanga have now amassed 37 points from 15 matches while second-placed Simba SC, who beat Mbeya City 1-0 courtesy of John Bocco’s strike, have collected 29 points from 13 matches and Azam are third on 27 points from 14 outings.

The 2020-21 Champions League round of 16 draw has been made, with some mouthwatering fixtures to look forward to as the next phase of the European competition begins.

With European heavyweights Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain pitted against each other and Liverpool clashing with plucky Leipzig, Goal has rounded up the dates of all the Champions League last 16 fixtures.

Games will take place over two matchdays, with the first leg played the week of February 16 and the return leg played the week of March 9.

Barcelona and PSG will first meet on February 16, 2021 at Camp Nou, with the return leg at the Parc des Princes played on March 10.

It is the standout tie of the round, with former team-mates Lionel Messi and Neymar set to meet for the first time since the Brazilian's record-breaking €222m (£200m/$250m) move to PSG in 2017 (as long as he recovers from his injury in time).

You can see the full Champions League last 16 draw & fixtures below in full.

The home team in the first leg is listed first, with the return leg played at the stadium of the second team.

Barcelona and PSG last met in the Champions League in the 2016-17 season in what has become one of the most memorable European moments of all-time, with Barcelona staging a comeback after a four-goal deficit to win 6–5 on aggregate. It remains the largest comeback in Champions League history.

In the same week, RB Leipzig will host six-time European champions Liverpool on February 16 with the second leg played at Anfield on March 10.

Other highlights in the first stage of the knockout phase include Porto battling it out with Juventus on February 17 and March 9, and Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea on February 23 and March 17.

All matches will kick-off 8pm GMT (3pm ET).

The draw for the quarter-finals will be held on March 19, 2021, with the first legs played on April 6 and 7 and the second legs played on April 13 and 14.

Edin Terzic has vowed to prioritise attacking football at Borussia Dortmund after making the difficult decision to replace Lucien Favre as caretaker head coach.

Dortmund sacked Favre after Saturday's humiliating 5-1 loss to Stuttgart - their heaviest home defeat in over a decade - and placed Terzic in charge for the rest of the season.

The former Besiktas and West Ham assistant will take charge of BVB for the first time on Tuesday when they travel to Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.

And Terzic, who also worked as a scout during Jurgen Klopp's time at the Westfalenstadion, has made clear the Stuttgart performance can never be repeated. 

"The last 48 hours for me have not been normal because Saturday's defeat hurts," he said at a news conference on Monday. "I want to thank Lucien - we worked very well.

"Now everything is moving fast and we have to show a reaction. What we saw on Saturday was not Borussia Dortmund. We have to show a different face tomorrow."

Dortmund have kept a clean sheet in just one of their last eight games in all competitions but Terzic favours attacking football over remaining tight at the back.

"I'm a product of Borussia Dortmund. I come from the region and have been a fan for ages," he said. "I've been working here for 10 years now and I'm shaped by the past.

"There are two ways you can win a football game: you can concede fewer goals, or you can always try to score one more. I'm more for the latter."

Terzic returned to Dortmund's backroom staff in 2018 when Favre was appointed and has spent the past two-and-a-half years working as the Swiss coach's right-hand man.

And given his close friendship with the man he is replacing on a temporary basis, the 38-year-old admitted it was not an easy choice to accept the job.

"The night was short. I had to think about it because I was part of the coaching team and had to take responsibility for what happened on Saturday," he said.

"I sat down with my family and thought about it. I came to the conclusion that I would accept the assignment.

"I'm only human and I have emotions. The defeat hurt and I've spent more time with Lucien in the last two and a half years than with my family.

"It's not nice to see the decision that was taken, but this is football. The players need to have faith and courage and remember we have done a lot of good things together."

Favre guided Dortmund to a second-placed finish in his first season, two points behind champions Bayern Munich, and could not bridge the gap in his second campaign in charge.

BVB started this season with six wins in their opening eight games, but they have lost three home league matches in a row and are six points adrift of leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

Explaining his decision to part ways with Favre, who was due to be out of contract at the end of the season, chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke said: "We sat down after the game and came to a unanimous decision.

"It was the performances that led us to the conclusion. We believe the team needs new input. We have to turn things around.

"I spoke to Lucien personally yesterday and thanked him. He performed very well at this club for over two years."

Asked if Terzic could land the job on a permanent basis, Watzke replied: "We made the contract run until the summer of 2021. We will have at least 26 games before then - hopefully more.

"The focus is on getting the team back on track. The summer is a long way away and at that point we will discuss everything."

Kenya international Michael Olunga has reportedly extended his contract with Kashiwa Reysol for one more year.

Olunga has had quite an impact at the Japanese side as he has helped them a lot in terms of scoring goals in the top flight.

In the 2019 season in the J2 League, the former Thika United and Tusker striker netted 27 goals as the club won the title and returned to the top-tier.

In the current season, the Harambee Star has scored 26 goals and is the clear favourite to win the Golden Boot in his maiden season in the J1 League.

His contract was expected to end in January 2021 and should the club confirm the extension rumours, it would temporarily end speculation that Olunga was headed out as a number of clubs are keen to acquire his services.

Earlier, former Sofapaka and Gor Mahia striker Ronald Okoth advised Olunga not to be in a hurry to leave Kashiwa Reysol although he has already achieved a lot in Japan.

“Olunga has conquered the league and as a player, if you feel you want another challenge the best option is always to find another challenge in a different environment,” Okoth told Goal in a previous interview.

“But let us not lie to one another that the Japanese league is not competitive. Let us look at the progression of Olunga’s career and we can see he has the potential of performing in any league.

“He has performed in Japan and many see he is slightly above it and if I am asked he needs to seek another challenge.

“But again, one should not rush in making a decision that will have a great impact on his own career. If he gets a chance to join another league the better, but if it does not come he should remain where he is.”

Olunga was not part of the African Cup of Nations contingent that faced Comoros in November as the Harambee Stars drew 1-1 at home before going down 2-1 in Moroni.

His absence, occasioned by cases of coronavirus at his club, was hugely felt as Kenya failed to increase their chances of picking up points that would have taken them closer to another Afcon qualification.

Coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee felt if Olunga was present he would have scored goals for Kenya.

Tottenham will travel to Liverpool this week with a three-point haul firmly in mind, says Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, adding that their surprise stalemate with Crystal Palace will fuel their ambition at Anfield.

First will face second on Merseyside on Wednesday as Jose Mourinho's Spurs make the trip north to face Jurgen Klopp's Reds in one of the biggest games of the Premier League season so far.

The sides are locked together on 25 points at the summit, one ahead of third-place Leicester City, with Tottenham barely ahead thanks to a superior goal difference.

Both outfits missed the opportunity to pull clear of the other at the weekend as they both succumbed to shock draws in Sunday's top-flight matches.

Tottenham saw their advantage nullified by Jeffery Schlupp late on against a gutsy Palace side, while Liverpool were forced to come from behind against relegation-threatened Fulham for a point.

Yet Denmark international Hojbjerg, who joined the club in August from Southampton, says that the frustrations of a spurned chance will only drive them on to beat their title rivals on their own turf.

"If you could see the dressing room after the game, you would see a feeling of a bit of disappointment, which is good," the 25-year-old told the club's official website.

"It shows we are competing, and we want to compete and win every game. I think it’s a good sign that we’re not happy with a 1-1 draw here.

“We let the small details, the small moments, go into their hands. You know, sometimes small things together create one big thing. Maybe that happened.

"Palace have a physical presence around the box, they have good individual players and they are not easy to play against.

“We’re in a good moment and we have to keep going. We can’t let it slip away or get out of balance. We look forward to Wednesday [against Liverpool], then Sunday [against Leicester] and the game after that.

"Right now, it’s about living in the present, taking it game by game. We’re not happy with the 1-1, but it’s okay, it gives us fuel for Wednesday and we are ready to go again.”

Azam FC were held to a 2-2 draw by Namungo FC in the Tanzania Mainland League game played on Monday.

Idd Selemani scored a brace while the visitors managed to get theirs through Charles Manyama and Stephen Sey.

This was coach George Lwandamina's first assignment after taking over from Vivien Bahati, who was serving on an interim basis following the sacking of Aristica Cioaba over poor performance.

The Zambian was not going to have it easy against Namungo, a team they defeated at the Azam Complex 2-1 last season, before falling by a solitary goal away.

The Ice-cream Makers started the game on a high, pressing from all departments. Their zeal paid dividends in the 19th minute as Seleman managed to find the back of the net.

However, the lead did not last long as the opponents gave their best to get an equalizer.  

Khamis Manyanya was fouled just outside the 18-yard area in the 24th minute and the referee did not hesitate to give the visitors a free-kick. Manyama cleverly curled the ball past the wall and goalkeeper to put the two teams on level terms.

The two teams went on the break with a goal each. 

After the break, the 2014 champions resorted to cautious play, and at some point, it seemed their tactic will get them a point against their hosts. 

But the travelling fans' hearts were broken when Nado managed to complete his brace in the 75th minute. It was a goal that had seemingly won maximum points, but it was not the case.

However, Namungo, who are representing Tanzania in the Caf Confederation Cup, managed to get an equalizer in stoppage time courtesy of Sey.

The result means Azam remain in the third position on the table with 28 points, nine fewer than leaders Yanga SC. The former have managed to get eight wins, four draws and three losses.

Namungo are in the 13th position with 17 points. They have managed to get four wins, five draws and four losses.

In another game played on Monday, Ihefu SC defeated Kagera Sugar 2-1.

Joseph Kinyozi opened the scoring for the hosts in the 38th minute before Issa Ngoah doubled the advantage in the 54th minute. Sadat Mohammed scored the consolation for Kagera.

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has questioned Paulo Dybala’s comments about his contract, saying the Argentina international has an offer in front of him and that the club are awaiting his response.

Dybala snapped a goalless Serie A run that stretched back to July 4 when netting in the 3-1 win over Genoa on Sunday.

Following the game, Dybala spoke to the media about his contractual situation and suggested the club had left him waiting.

“My agent was in Turin for a long time and was never called up by the club,” Dybala told Sky Sport Italia after the game. “It disappoints me to hear talk of financial figures.

"It would be better if the truth could be told, because talking about those aspects in this period pits the fans against me, with all the love I have for Juventus." 

The forward’s comments crossed Agnelli’s radar, and he has suggested Dybala is in the wrong.

"I’ve heard the statements, it’s part of my job,” Agnelli told Tuttosport. “The good news is the goal [he scored]. Paulo had a difficult time after contracting Covid. I heard with great pleasure his love for Juventus. The love is reciprocated.

“We see him as the captain of the future.

"I know he has already received a proposal that would put him among the top 20 best-paid players in Europe. We’re looking forward to his response.”

Agnelli has fired a shot across Dybala’s bows, urging him to let his football do the talking and prove himself worthy of a bumper new contract.

“The most important thing is to see his answer on the pitch,” Agnelli said. "We all want him to be one of the top five players in Europe, he’s still not among them and he is aware of it."

Having ended his goalscoring drought, Dybala has three further games - Atalanta (December 16), Parma (December 19) and Fiorentina (December 22) before Serie A closes down for the Christmas and New Year spell.

With Juventus trailing Serie A leaders AC Milan by four points, having Dybala finding form will come as a huge boost to coach Andrea Pirlo.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt has hinted at fielding fit-again midfielder Dumisani Zuma in Wednesday’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) clash against SuperSport United at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

With Chiefs having played 11 matches across all competitions this season, Zuma has not featured in any game so far.

The former Bloemfontein Celtic star was close to returning to action but picked up a hamstring injury last week and has since recovered ahead of the visit to Pretoria.

Hunt said he could give Zuma some playing minutes as he also stated he will not make changes to the squad that hosted Black Leopards last Wednesday.

“We will go into the match with the same squad that played against Black Leopards. Dumisani Zuma will return to the squad but we will see how it goes. We will perhaps bring him on during the match,” Hunt told the Chiefs official website.

After drawing 2-2 in their last match against Leopards last week, it was Chiefs’ fourth-straight match without tasting victory.

Hunt and his men are keen to pick themselves up from this setback and the coach says the key to redemption is to avoid errors.

Chiefs Captain Itumeleng Khune was guilty of some mistakes in the 2-2 draw against Leopards.

“We must just avoid committing crucial mistakes. We are playing against a SuperSport United which has energetic youngsters in their team. They will be a difficult opponent but it’s the same with all the teams that we face in this league,” Hunt said.

“SuperSport have their coach Kaitano Tembo whom I brought up to be my assistant, there will be history in that one.

"Even after losing two of their key players, Clayton Daniels and Aubrey Modiba, they still have a consistent squad and they have been together for a long time. \

"This league is strange; with one win you jump several notches up the log. We just got to win our matches.”

Chiefs are placed 12th on the PSL log while their opponents SuperSport are in position six.

Brighton and Hove Albion manager Graham Potter is hopeful of welcoming England U21 defender of Ghanaian descent, Tariq Lamptey, back in his set-up for Wednesday's Premier League clash with Fulham.

The 20-year-old was a surprise absentee as the Seagulls succumbed to a 3-0 loss to Leicester City.

He has become a key figure for Brighton this season following a January transfer from Chelsea.

"We will see, this one [Leicester City Premier League encounter] just probably came a bit too soon," Potter said, Tribalfootball reports.

"We just want to make sure he was fully recovered.

"He was feeling a bit of a sensation on his hamstring, so we decided to err on the side of caution because of the nature of it.

"But we are hopeful he will be back for Wednesday [away to Fulham]."

Lamptey has featured in 10 of Brighton's 12 Premier League games played so far this season, starting in all 10 matches.

The right-back, who has one assist to his name, registered his first and only league goal in a 2-0 reversal to Tottenham Hotspur last month.

"I have known about Tariq from my England days. [Albion's head of recruitment and analysis] Paul Winstanley flagged him in the under-23s league. We knew that his contract was running down at Chelsea and we knew that they would offer him a new contract," Brighton technical director Dan Ashworth recently said of the youngster's progress at the club.

“We had a space coming up and maybe we had a chance to give Tariq some games and exposure and he has taken it with both hands. You don't quite know what you have got with a young player until you chuck them in and give them a go."

Lamptey's fine performances in the Premier League has caught the eye of Ghana football officials who have launched a bid for his services.

Born in Hillingdon to Ghanaian parents, the full-back, currently an England U21 star, remains eligible to switch international allegiance to Ghana.

He joins Arsenal striker Edward Nketiah, Anderlecht winger Francis Amuzu and Ajax and Netherlands youth striker Brian Brobbey on the wish list of Black Stars coach CK Akonnor.

Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola has moved to clarify his recent comments about his client, saying if the midfielder is to leave Manchester United it will be in the summer.

Raiola caused a stir earlier this month during an interview with Tuttosport, when he said: “I can say that it’s over for Paul Pogba at Manchester United. 

“Paul is unhappy with Man Utd as he is no longer able to express himself in the way that he would like and as he is expected to. Paul needs a new team, a change of air.”

Pogba was silent on the subject, before posting on Instagram that he was “1000% involved!”

In the post, he added: “I’ve always fought and will always fight for Manchester United, my team-mates and the fans. Bla bla is not important. The future is far, today is what matters.”

Pogba had a solid game during United’s 0-0 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Saturday, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer trusting his player to control the ball in the middle of the park.

If there was any hope that things would settle down surrounding the France international, they were dashed when Raiola broke cover to comment on his player’s future plans.

Raiola intimated that he would prefer a move in January, but suggested circumstances make that difficult so it is more likely a transfer will materialise in the summer.

“When it comes to him in England they are sensitive, perhaps too sensitive,” Raiola said at the Tuttosport's Golden Boy awards. “In January the great players hardly move, then in the summer let's see what happens.

“Pogba will have a great future.”

Red Devils boss Solskjaer has been critical of Pogba’s agent, urging him to stop making public announcements and allow his player to do the talking on the pitch.

After putting in a decent shift from the bench in the 3-2 loss to RB Leipzig in the Champions League and following it up with a 90-minute showing against City, Pogba went some way to putting the recent furore behind him.

As such, it will be disappointing to the Old Trafford outfit that Raiola has put transfer talk back in the spotlight.

Mamelodi Sundowns say a “difficult period of uncertainty” surrounds the reported death of defender Motjeka Madisha as the player’s family await DNA identification of the remains burnt beyond recognition in a car crash that occurred early Sunday morning in the East Rand.

Madisha is thought to have been the driver of the car involved in the horrific accident but Sundowns have taken a cautious approach in confirming that their player was a casualty in the incident.

While messages of condolences have been pouring in from different spheres, the Brazilians are yet to give a conclusive statement on the situation.

But Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena has already expressed grief on social media.

A new twist has emerged in the said death of the Downs star as police reported the accident occurred early Sunday, but Sundowns have stated that the tragic incident happened on Saturday night.

“The family of Mamelodi Sundowns defender Motjeka “Ace” Madisha met with the pathologists early this morning to establish if the person who passed away in a car crash, late this past Saturday night on 12 December 2020, is indeed their son,” Sundowns said in a statement.

“The nature of the horrific car crash that took place on the Zuurfontein Road near Chloorkop requires that all processes be followed by the necessary authorities with relevant expertise to confirm the identity of the driver.

“The Madisha family requests privacy and the relevant protocols be followed during this difficult period of uncertainty. Mamelodi Sundowns will communicate further details after consultation with the Madisha family once the DNA test results have been released.”

The accident occurred just after Sundowns celebrated their 50th anniversary on Saturday night although the defender is said to have not attended the event.

Madisha was a key Downs player this season, playing five of the team’s six Premier Soccer League games as well as the MTN8 quarter-final defeat to Bloemfontein Celtic.

He was also part of the Bafana Bafana fold.

Express FC forward Frank Kalanda has set a target of scoring double figures in the 2020-21 Ugandan Premier League (UPL) season.

The burly star has already hit the ground running after notching in two straight games - the 1-1 draw away in Arua against Onduparaka FC on matchday one and the 2-1 win at home to Soltilo Bright Stars – which was also coach Wasswa Bbosa’s first home victory.

Kalanda has now said he is very happy to have found the back of the net in the two matches and confirmed his target for the season is to score double figures and also win the Golden Boot.

“I want to thank God for the opportunity of being able to score in two straight games, am focusing and am working hard towards being the top scorer this season,” Kalanda said as quoted by the club’s official website.

"The competition we have amongst ourselves as players is very healthy, everyone knows the target at and, win silverware and have consistency and we shall overcome.”

Last season, Kalanda managed 11 goals across all competitions for the Red Eagles and with a support system of Mustafa Kiragga and Eric Kambaale it’s evident the Uganda Cranes marksman can go past last season’s feat.

Against Bright Stars, Kalanda and Eric Kambale scored two quick goals just four minutes apart in the first half to seal a first home win for coach Bbosa. Kalanda pounced on a poor clearance just after three minutes in the 18-yard area to slot home.

The Red Eagles kept the pressure on and just four minutes later, Kambale connected well with Charles Musiige’s cross on the left neatly placing the ball right in the middle of the goal.

With a comfortable 2-0 lead, it seemed like the Red Eagles had everything in control but Bright Stars midfielder Kacancu Gaddafi Augustine had other ideas taking advantage of poor defending to make it 2-1 in the 11th minute.

Kalanda could have made it 3-1 but his header in the 32nd minute off a Godfrey Lwesibawa cross on the right flank hit the crossbar.

Express will now travel to Mbarara to face the Ankole Lions on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, before a home game against archrivals SC Villa on December 19.

Ian Wright admits Arsenal have reached “crisis point”, with Mikel Arteta urged to consider tweaking his plans after being “let down” by the likes of Granit Xhaka, Willian and Alexandre Lacazette.

The Gunners saw their worst start to a Premier League season hit a new low on Sunday as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Burnley.

Xhaka was sent off in that contest after suffering an all too familiar rush of blood, with the hosts unable to hang on with 10 men – with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang putting through his own net to settle the contest.

After appearing to take positive steps forward with FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs, Arsenal are in danger of becoming stuck in reverse once more.

Wright admits as much, with too many senior stars failing to live up to expectations.

Arteta is now being urged to consider dropping those who are doing his cause few favours, with it now time to try “something different” as the Gunners seek to shake themselves out of a serious rut.

Club legend Wright told Premier League Productions of the goings-on in north London: “The manager has stuck with him [Xhaka] for a while.

“He has shown a lot of faith in him. I think he has done the same with Willian. He has done the same with Lacazette.

“There are players now that should be getting a blast at it now. Throw in Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith-Rowe coming back on-loan and doing well at Huddersfield last season. Joe Willock. Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

“You need to do something different because if it carries on like this and he continues to have faith in these players, and they are not delivering, then I don’t know what’s going to happen next.

“It’s a time when you need experienced players the most.

“I feel like at this particular moment, he has had a lot of faith in them and they have kind of let him down up to this point.

“I think Arsenal are at a real crisis point in terms of confidence. It’s going to be even lower now and it’s going to take something to build them up. This is why it needs some freshness. Just blood some fresh impetus.”

Arsenal - who have tumbled into 15th spot in the Premier League table, five points above the relegation zone - will be back in action on Wednesday when they play host to high flying Southampton.

Neymar has received positive scan results after picking up an ankle injury, with the issue not as bad as first feared by Paris Saint-Germain's medical staff.

The forward was stretchered off the pitch towards the end of PSG's 1-0 defeat against Lyon at Parc des Princes on Sunday.

The Brazilian went down after a strong tackle from Thiago Mendes, who was subsequently sent off after a VAR review.

The 28-year-old was left in tears after the challenge, and reports suggesting he had suffered a broken ankle were widespread after the final whistle.

Thomas Tuchel was unable to confirm the full extent of the issue in his post-match interview as he told reporters: "He's with the doctors and we have to wait for the exams tomorrow."

PSG have now confirmed that Neymar has avoided a serious fracture, with the final results of a scan on Monday showing that he has only sustained an ankle sprain.

The French champions had less positive news about Abou Diallo, though, with the defender set to be out of action until the new year after picking up a hamstring injury during the loss to Lyon.

An official statement on PSG's website reads: "The medical examinations carried out on Neymar Jr are reassuring following his twisted ankle in Sunday's game against Lyon. Further examinations will be carried out in 48 hours.

"Abou Diallo suffered a hamstring lesion in Sunday's game and will return to competition in early January."

Neymar will likely be unavailable for selection when Tuchel's side play host to Lorient on Wednesday, but supporters will hope that a talismanic figure can return to full fitness in time for a top-of-the-table clash with Lille four days later.

The reigning Ligue 1 champions have slipped to third in the standings, but Lille and Lyon are only one point clear at the summit after 14 fixtures.

Neymar had been enjoying a strong start to the campaign, with three goals and three assists recorded through seven domestic appearances.

He also hit a stunning hat-trick in PSG's 5-1 Champions League win against Istanbul Basaksehir last Wednesday, which sealed their place in the round of 16, but was far less effective against Lyon at the weekend.

Donny van de Beek has been warned that he may have made a mistake in joining Manchester United, with Johnny Heitinga claiming that a fellow Dutchman is in danger of seeing his “development” stall at Old Trafford.

Eyebrows were raised when the Red Devils dipped back into the transfer market for another creative midfielder over the summer.

With the likes of Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes and Juan Mata already on their books, there was a sense that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should have been prioritising recruitment in other areas.

United, though, opted to move quickly once it became apparent that Van de Beek was available, with the Premier League heavyweights moving to ensure that the 23-year-old did not end up at a domestic or continental rival.

The Netherlands international was considered to boast all of the tools required to be a success in England, but he has been restricted to just 222 minutes of Premier League football so far – making only two starts in top-flight competition.

He saw no game time at all in United’s last outing, as they played out a 0-0 derby draw with Manchester City, and Heitinga fears his compatriot made the wrong career call when leaving Ajax.

The former Oranje star, who spent time with Everton and Fulham in his playing days, told Stadium Astro of Van de Beek: “He has had an impact when coming on.

“I have doubts that he made the right decision in going to Manchester United because they have top quality midfielders – Pogba, Bruno Fernandes.

“He has to get used to the speed of play, the fitness. It’s tough, it’s intense in the Premier League, the Dutch league can’t be compared.

“Frenkie de Jong is playing at Barcelona, Matthijs de Ligt is at Juventus, Hakim Ziyech is playing for Chelsea, so Donny was part of a team and now he has to do it by himself.

“It’s not easy when you see the midfielders at Manchester United to play them out of the team.

“I’m in doubt if he made the right decision to make that move. I’m a little bit worried about his development because he isn’t playing many games. At his age, he needs to play games. This is not good for his development.”

Another former Netherlands international, ex-Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot, agrees that Van de Beek is going to have to learn quickly at Old Trafford in order to make the desired impact.

A man who left Ajax for Stamford Bridge in 1999 said: “I like Donny, he’s a nice kid. When players come broad, they have to understand that when you play in your home country you get, I don’t want to say protection, but you get a certain treatment – certainly coming through Ajax. When you get to England, it’s a whole different ball game.

“At Ajax you learn a lot but my aim was to come to England and not stay in Holland. Now that he is there, he has to work really hard on himself – harder than he can imagine.

“Sitting on the bench, I hated it the most and I’m sure he will have the same feeling. He has to work it out quickly.”

The Red Devils, with Van de Beek looking for minutes, will be back in action on Thursday when they take in a trip to Sheffield United.

Leon Goretzka has confirmed that he received an offer from Liverpool two years ago, but says he was "100 per cent sure" that Bayern Munich were the right club for him.

Goretzka began his professional career at Bochum in 2012, where he spent one year in the senior team before being snapped up by Schalke.

The Royal Blues were able to bring in the midfielder for just €3 million, which ultimately proved to be a bargain price for a player who quickly became a fixture in their starting XI.

The Germany international spent five seasons with Schalke, scoring 19 goals in 147 appearances, but was ultimately unable to help the club pick up any major silverware.

Goretzka announced his decision to leave Veltins-Arena in January 2018, and he joined Bayern on a free transfer six months later.

The 25-year-old has since reached new heights at Allianz Arena, helping the German champions win eight trophies in total, including two Bundesliga titles and the Champions League.

The former Schalke star played a vital role in Bayern's run to the treble last term, and he is now revered as one of the best box-to-box players in European football.

Goretzka could have opted for a different path when leaving Gelsenkirchen, though, as he has now revealed that Jurgen Klopp attempted to lure him to Anfield before he moved to Bavaria.

Quizzed on Liverpool's interest in him, the Bayern star told The Athletic : "They were a consideration, of course.

“They’re a great club, and their development since Klopp came has been amazing. We’re all a little proud of him winning the title.

"But I took a long time making my decision, and I was 100 per cent sure that Bayern was the right move for me.”

Goretzka surprised many when he returned from lockdown in May with a few extra kilos of muscle on his frame, which he put to good use as Bayern went on to win an eighth successive Bundesliga crown, a sixth European Cup and a 20th DFB Pokal.

The playmaker says an enforced period of self-isolation gave him the chance to work on himself both physically and mentally, as he added: “Nobody knew what was happening and we had a lot of time to think.

"I asked myself: what can I do to develop further as a human being?

"It was an opportunity to take stock, listen to the voice inside of you and redefine your goals.

“The extra muscle is only the most visible part of that.

"Not playing gave me a chance to do work on the body in a way you can’t do under normal circumstances, as you’d need two or three days to recover.”