عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Marseille Looks to Payet as Race for 2nd Place Heats Up

Marseille's French midfielder Dimitri Payet gestures after during the UEFA Europa Conference League semifinal second leg football match between Feyenoord and Olympique de Marseille (OM) Feyenoord stadium de Kuip in Rotterdam,on April 28, 2022. (AFP)
Marseille's French midfielder Dimitri Payet gestures after during the UEFA Europa Conference League semifinal second leg football match between Feyenoord and Olympique de Marseille (OM) Feyenoord stadium de Kuip in Rotterdam,on April 28, 2022. (AFP)
TT
TT

Marseille Looks to Payet as Race for 2nd Place Heats Up

Marseille's French midfielder Dimitri Payet gestures after during the UEFA Europa Conference League semifinal second leg football match between Feyenoord and Olympique de Marseille (OM) Feyenoord stadium de Kuip in Rotterdam,on April 28, 2022. (AFP)
Marseille's French midfielder Dimitri Payet gestures after during the UEFA Europa Conference League semifinal second leg football match between Feyenoord and Olympique de Marseille (OM) Feyenoord stadium de Kuip in Rotterdam,on April 28, 2022. (AFP)

Marseille is under pressure to hold onto second place in the French league and will need Dimitri Payet in his best form to secure automatic entry into next season's Champions League.

The 35-year-old Payet is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career, and is on course to beat his career record for most goals in a season.

As the race heats up for second spot behind Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille is only three points ahead of third-place Rennes and in-form Monaco. Those two clubs are separated only by goal difference, with Monaco hauling itself into Champions League contention on the back of a seven-game winning run.

Monaco has not looked back since dominating PSG 3-0 at home in March, and the mid-season hiring of coach Philippe Clement to replace Niko Kovac is paying off.

Monaco has scored 17 goals in its winning streak, which included a victory at Rennes, and striker Wissam Ben Yedder is tied for second with Rennes forward Martin Terrier in the scoring charts with 21 goals. They are three behind PSG's Kylian Mbappe.

Monaco will play Friday at Lille, the French league champions last season. Marseille is at Lorient on Sunday. Rennes is at Nantes, but that game won't be played until next Wednesday because Nantes faces Nice in the French Cup final on Saturday.

That gives Monaco and Marseille the chance to apply pressure on Rennes with victories. Although the Marseille's squad will have to recover quickly to reset after playing Feyenoord on Thursday in the second leg of their Europa Conference League semifinal.

For Marseille, much depends on the form of Payet. Despite his advancing years, he has scored 12 goals - his best in a season for Marseille - and had nine assists.

With his ability to play as a false nine, or ghost into position as a deep-lying playmaker, Payet is a crucial component in coach Jorge Sampaoli’s 4-3-3 system.

In addition to his goals, Payet's exceptional ability to hold the ball back to goal, the fact he almost never gives away possession, allied to his excellent accuracy on free kicks and corners, make him a constant menace for defenders.

"I play in a system that's well defined around me. A lot of balls come my way. So for a No. 10 there's nothing better than to organize things and be at the heart of the game,” Payet said. "I'm making the most of my last years as a player, which is why I'm enjoying it more."

Although he reads the game quickly, Payet has never been a quick player in terms of speed, so he has refined his game even more with age.

"Football today is much faster and more athletic. What's changed in my game since Jorge Sampaoli arrived is my positioning," Payet explained. "When you start losing speed and explosiveness, you can still keep up and make a difference if you're well positioned between the lines and able to find space."

But when Payet is not at his best, like in the 3-0 home loss to Lyon last Sunday, Marseille struggles more.

If the former France international needs any extra motivation for the final stretch, he is one behind his best career tally for league goals in a season - he netted 13 for Saint-Etienne in 2010-11.

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

Man Utd Boss Carrick Expects Hard Test Against Resolute Bournemouth

Manchester United Manager Michael Carrick in action during the English Premier League match of Manchester United against Aston Villa, in Manchester, Britain, 15 March 2026. (EPA)
Manchester United Manager Michael Carrick in action during the English Premier League match of Manchester United against Aston Villa, in Manchester, Britain, 15 March 2026. (EPA)
TT
TT

Man Utd Boss Carrick Expects Hard Test Against Resolute Bournemouth

Manchester United Manager Michael Carrick in action during the English Premier League match of Manchester United against Aston Villa, in Manchester, Britain, 15 March 2026. (EPA)
Manchester United Manager Michael Carrick in action during the English Premier League match of Manchester United against Aston Villa, in Manchester, Britain, 15 March 2026. (EPA)

Michael Carrick has told his Manchester United side to ready themselves for an awkward encounter away to Bournemouth on Friday as they look to maintain their challenge for a Champions League place.

The Red Devils have enjoyed a resurgence since former United and England midfielder Carrick was appointed caretaker boss in January until the end of the season.

United are now third in the Premier League ahead of their trip to south coast side Bournemouth after recovering from their first loss under Carrick, away to Newcastle, by beating top-four rivals Aston Villa 3-1 on Sunday.

Bournemouth, however, are 10th in the table and have made life difficult for United in recent seasons, with December's remarkable 4-4 draw at Old Trafford extending their recent unbeaten run in this fixture.

Cherries boss Andoni Iraola, tipped as a possible permanent manager of the Red Devils has not lost in five previous matches against United.

But such has been the club's revival under Carrick, appointed after former United team-mate Darren Fletcher's two-game spell in temporary charge following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, that the Old Trafford hierarchy may well stick with the 44-year-old come the end of the current campaign.

"It's a tough game," Carrick said of Bournemouth, undefeated in their last 10 matches in the Premier League.

"It's a tough place to go. They're on a really good run of form, so, yeah, a difficult game," he also told a pre-match press conference on Thursday.

"We're obviously going down there, we've had a good run and the boys are in good shape but, yeah, always a difficult game. Always has been and probably always will be.

"We know that, they're a really good team, well coached, really well coached, and good energy. We know we'll be in for a game down there on Friday."

United have won just two of their last seven away matches following a last-gasp 2-1 loss at Newcastle.

But Carrick said: "Whether it's home or away, it's not something we kind of look at too much. It's the next game, really."

He added: "It's been nice to be able to win at home and put that in place, and to go and play at Old Trafford with a real feeling of confidence and looking forward to the game and for the supporters to feel that as well and leaving with a good feeling."

Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu and Lisandro Martinez remain sidelined for Friday's match, but the latter is expected to be available when United return to action against Leeds on April 13.

The international break, lack of European fixtures and an early FA Cup exit mean United have an unusually long, 24-day, wait for a game after the Bournemouth match.

"You've got to be really flexible, you know, to come off the back of it in good shape," Carrick said.

"The boys will have a break, in some way, but we're definitely mindful of it for sure and it's a little bit unique in some ways, having the week after the internationals to prepare for the next game."

Sports

Mohamed Salah Sets up Liverpool Against PSG Showdown in the Champions League

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah leaves the field after substitution during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Liverpool and Galatasaray, in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah leaves the field after substitution during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Liverpool and Galatasaray, in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP)
TT
TT

Mohamed Salah Sets up Liverpool Against PSG Showdown in the Champions League

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah leaves the field after substitution during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Liverpool and Galatasaray, in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah leaves the field after substitution during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Liverpool and Galatasaray, in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP)

It has been a season to forget for Mohamed Salah.

But the Egyptian icon fired Liverpool into the quarterfinals of the Champions League on Wednesday, scoring his 50th Champions League goal.

But this is still far from vintage Salah. He got a first-half penalty so wrong that it was hard to tell if he was trying an audacious “Panenka” chip or if it was simply a horrible mis-kick. Either way, it was an embarrassing moment just before halftime and all too typical of a campaign in which Salah's powers appear to have diminished.

That all changed after the break when he was at the heart of a Liverpool goal spree that sealed a 4-1 aggregate win over Galatasaray and set up a showdown with defending champion Paris Saint-Germain.

“That tells you about the mental strength of him,” Liverpool coach Arne Slot said.

With Liverpool leading 1-0 at halftime through Dominik Szoboszlai's goal, Salah crossed for Hugo Ekitike to double the advantage. Two minutes later, his fierce shot was saved by Galatasaray goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir and Ryan Gravenberch was there to turn in Liverpool's third on the rebound.

Then came the moment Salah — and the Anfield crowd was waiting for — cutting in from the right, he curled left-footed shot into the far corner from just outside the box.

A “trademark goal” was how Slot described it.

The home fans erupted — chanting their hero's name. He was given a standing ovation when he went off in the second half because of a possible injury.

Salah should have left the field with another goal, but he fired against the bar from close range.

That was a reminder that he is still not at his lethal best and it is uncertain if he ever will be again at the age of 33.

His goal took his tally to 10 for the season — well down on the 34 he scored to inspire Liverpool to the Premier League title last term.

This time last year tensions were rising as he neared the end of his contract and a new deal was still uncertain.

The idea of losing him was unthinkable to many Liverpool fans after watching him help the club to a full set of trophies — including the Champions League and two Premier Leagues — since he joined in 2017.

The problem for Liverpool's hierarchy was whether to risk a lucrative contract extension on a player whose best years were behind him — even on the back of such an outstanding season.

It was never likely he could repeat those feats again, but few would have expected the drop off that has been witnessed this term.

Then there was the very public row with coach Slot after he was dropped leading up the Africa Cup of Nations in December.

The fallout quickly passed, but Salah's form has remained short of his best.

It is still unclear what the future holds for him at Liverpool with one more year on his deal and whether he will see out the contract.

On Wednesday, however, was a reminder of what he can still produce. And in a year in which Liverpool's title defense has unraveled, it still has hope in the Champions League.

Sports

Iran Continuing World Cup Preparations but Will Not Play in US, Says Football Chief

President of Iran Football Federation Mehdi Taj and Mayor of Tehran Alireza Zakani stand next to the FIFA World Cup Trophy during an unveiling ceremony in Tehran, Iran September 1, 2022. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
President of Iran Football Federation Mehdi Taj and Mayor of Tehran Alireza Zakani stand next to the FIFA World Cup Trophy during an unveiling ceremony in Tehran, Iran September 1, 2022. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
TT
TT

Iran Continuing World Cup Preparations but Will Not Play in US, Says Football Chief

President of Iran Football Federation Mehdi Taj and Mayor of Tehran Alireza Zakani stand next to the FIFA World Cup Trophy during an unveiling ceremony in Tehran, Iran September 1, 2022. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
President of Iran Football Federation Mehdi Taj and Mayor of Tehran Alireza Zakani stand next to the FIFA World Cup Trophy during an unveiling ceremony in Tehran, Iran September 1, 2022. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

The Iranian national team are continuing to prepare for the World Cup finals and have no intention of pulling out of the tournament even if they will not travel to the United States, soccer chief Mehdi Taj said on Wednesday.

Iran were one of the first nations to qualify for the finals, but their participation has been in doubt since the conflict between the country and the United States began in late February.

The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 and is being staged in the US, Mexico and Canada.

Team Melli are scheduled to play all three of their ‌opening-round group matches ‌in the US but Taj said on Monday the Iranian FA (FFIRI) ‌was ⁠negotiating with FIFA ⁠to have them moved to Mexico.

Iran will play Nigeria on March 27 and Costa Rica four days later in Antalya as part of a four-nation invitational tournament that had to be moved from Jordan because of the conflict in the Middle East.

"The national team is holding a training camp in Türkiye, and we will also play two friendly matches there," FFIRI President Taj was quoted as saying by the Fars News Agency on Wednesday. "We will boycott America, but we ⁠will not boycott the World Cup."

Taj was speaking on Wednesday as he ‌welcomed the players from the women's national team back ‌to Iran at the border crossing from Türkiye after their protracted journey from Australia.

All of the ‌delegation, who were in Australia for the Women's Asian Cup, were offered asylum by the ‌host nation because of fears for their safety in Iran. While seven accepted, only two ended up staying.

US President Donald Trump had urged Australia to offer the players asylum and later said that while the Iranian men were welcome to play in the US, it might not be appropriate for their "life ‌and safety".

Trump later stressed any threat to the players would not come from the United States, but Taj -- a former member of ⁠Iran's hardline Revolutionary ⁠Guard -- used the president's statement as grounds for demanding the venue switch.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that her country would be open to hosting Iran's World Cup matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in June, but the final say on any venue switch would be FIFA's.

Football's world governing body said it was in contact with FFIRI but was "looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025".

Beau Busch, the Asia-Pacific president of football players' union FIFPRO, said it was FIFA's duty to ensure the safety of everyone involved at the World Cup.

"FIFA have an institutional responsibility to protect human rights," the Australian told Reuters.

"What's critical is that FIFA undertake a really comprehensive human rights impact assessment, and they assess to ensure that every single participant at the World Cup, every player, every fan, can be safe, and that any risks are identified and mitigated effectively."