Mbappe Gets Mixed Reception from Fans in Last PSG Home Game Before Scoring in 3-1 Loss 

PSG's Kylian Mbappe, center, celebrates with his teammates PSG's French League One title after the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP)
PSG's Kylian Mbappe, center, celebrates with his teammates PSG's French League One title after the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP)
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Mbappe Gets Mixed Reception from Fans in Last PSG Home Game Before Scoring in 3-1 Loss 

PSG's Kylian Mbappe, center, celebrates with his teammates PSG's French League One title after the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP)
PSG's Kylian Mbappe, center, celebrates with his teammates PSG's French League One title after the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP)

Kylian Mbappe got a mixed reception from Paris Saint-Germain fans in his last home game for the club before scoring in a 3-1 home defeat against Toulouse in the French league on Sunday.

Mbappe grabbed his league-leading 27th goal of the season in the eighth minute after sprinting clear and rounding the goalkeeper.

But defensive errors followed as French champion PSG slipped to only its second league defeat of the season, but third straight overall after back-to-back 1-0 losses against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semifinals.

As the lineups were announced at Parc des Princes, there were loud jeers from sections of the crowd when Mbappe's name was read out. But shortly after, ultra supporters from the CUP — Paris Ultras Collective — unfurled a banner in his honor behind one of the goals.

It read “Enfant de la Banlieu” (Kid from the Suburbs) in reference to the Parisian suburb of Bondy where Mbappe grew up. They also made a giant tifo in his image, featuring Mbappe in a trademark pose with his arms crossed. Mbappe went over to the fans and applauded.

After the final whistle, fans sang “On est les Champions” (We are the Champions) but did not chant Mbappe's name.

Mbappe publicly confirmed on Friday that he is leaving at the end of the season, having already informed the club in mid-February. He spoke Friday in a video posted on X and not through the club’s communications department.

Although he has yet to announce his destination, Mbappe is widely expected to join 14-time Champions League winner Real Madrid.

Mbappe's early goal was quickly canceled out by Dutch striker Thijs Dallinga following slack defending.

Midway through the second period, PSG’s defenders backed off and forward Yann Gboho curled a fine shot into the top right corner. With seconds remaining in stoppage time, striker Frank Magri volleyed in from close range.

“Even though we are champions, we shouldn’t lose in this manner,” PSG winger Ousmane Dembele said. “We have to give the best versions of ourselves in every game.”

Mbappe has three matches remaining — two league games and the French Cup final against Lyon on May 25 — to add to his club-record tally of 256 goals.

Also on Sunday, Monaco clinched second place with a 2-0 win at Montpellier.

Defender Kassoum Ouatara and France midfielder Youssouf Fofana grabbed the goals for Monaco, which is six points clear of both third-place Lille and fourth-place Brest.

The top three qualify directly for the Champions League and the fourth-place side enters the qualifying rounds.

Canada striker Jonathan David reached 19 league goals as Lille won 2-1 at Nantes, and veteran forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted twice to move onto 16 goals as Marseille won 3-1 at home to Lorient.

Rock-bottom Clermont was relegated after losing 1-0 at home to Lyon. Also, Metz lost 2-1 at Strasbourg, and Rennes drew 1-1 with Lens.



United Boss Ten Hag Concedes Liverpool Have Advantage of Mature Team

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - August 24, 2024 Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reacts REUTERS/Tony O Brien/File photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - August 24, 2024 Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reacts REUTERS/Tony O Brien/File photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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United Boss Ten Hag Concedes Liverpool Have Advantage of Mature Team

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - August 24, 2024 Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reacts REUTERS/Tony O Brien/File photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - August 24, 2024 Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reacts REUTERS/Tony O Brien/File photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Liverpool are a more mature side than Manchester United, with the advantage of a cohesive team of established players, United manager Erik ten Hag said ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash between the bitter rivals at Old Trafford.

"Liverpool are in a different phase of the life cycle," Ten Hag told reporters. "We are much more mixed and we have to build a new team."

United have not beaten Liverpool in the league since a 2-1 win at Old Trafford in August 2022 though Ten Hag's men did prevail 4-3 over former Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp's side to win the FA Cup last season, according to Reuters.

Liverpool finished third in the league last season, five places and 22 points ahead of United, but Ten Hag said his side could take heart from their performance in the cup final.

"We can always win, last year we won (in the FA cup) in the second part of the season," the Dutchman said.

"(Liverpool) are a team who are clear in the relationship among their players. It's what (new manager Arne Slot) has inherited. It was built over the last few years."

Slot and Ten Hag have faced each other in the past during their time working in the Dutch top flight, with little to chose between them on paper.

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Both managers have two wins apiece against each other in the Eridivisie, with Sunday's match at Old Trafford their first head-to-head meeting since March 2022.

Liverpool have made a solid start to the season under Slot, who became their first manager since Graeme Souness in 1991 to win his two opening league games in charge with Sunday's 2-0 victory over Brentford.

United, on the other hand, dropped their first points of the campaign when they were beaten 2-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion last Saturday.

"One of the reasons I came here is I knew beforehand it would be the most difficult thing I could ever do in my life, to come in (to) a club with a lot of problems," added Ten Hag, who took charge of United in April 2022.

"I inherited a history of six years and no trophy. We're still in transition. We have young players, academy players, and now we have to construct a team for the future."