BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Barcelona is a team I’m deeply connected to, it’s a wonderful feeling to return to what I consider my home. I’m experiencing special emotions.” These were the words of PSG coach Luis Enrique to Sky Sport ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League clash against the Blaugrana.

The Parisian manager will have to cope without several key players, including Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, and Désiré Doué. “No excuses, we must always try to play well. Is this an early final? I’m happy people say that, the problem is for the other teams who want to win the trophy,” he said with a smile. “This new format allows these big matches right from the start.”

Finally, Luis Enrique spoke about the initiative that will feature the Xana Fundación, created after the passing of his young daughter, on PSG’s jerseys: “I thank the president because this can help many children, as it will be seen by so many people.” At the end of the match, all the shirts will be auctioned off.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VILLARREAL (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – On the eve of the Champions League match against Juventus, which will be played at the Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal coach Marcelino emphasized in a press conference the importance of a fixture he calls “special,” being the club’s first home match in this season’s tournament: “It’s a privilege that I wouldn’t have imagined two years ago. We’re facing a great team and we want to give our fans something to be proud of.” The Spanish coach spoke of a growing squad, building on recent successes in La Liga and the experience gained in their European debut: “We’ve shown we can compete with anyone, now we need confidence and consistency.”

Regarding injuries, Ayoze Perez and Gerard Moreno will be out, while Santi Comesana is available and Rafa Marin is expected to recover from a knock in training. Looking at his opponents, Marcelino dismissed the idea of ​​a Juventus in the process of rebuilding: “They’re a team with world-class individuals, very physically powerful and with great offensive quality: Openda, David, Vlahovic, Yildiz are very high-profile players, but we can compete, especially on our own pitch.” Central to the coach’s words is the concept of the team: “To win, you need 16 players, not just the starting eleven. What counts is team spirit, sacrifice, and putting personal interests before personal ones.”

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ZURICH (SWITZERLAND) (ITALPRESS) – The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has fined the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) €85,000 and reduced the stadium capacity for their upcoming World Cup qualifying match against Albania, the FSS announced today.

The sanction was imposed due to incidents that occurred during the Serbia-England match, played on September 9 at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade, according to the Insajder portal. Serbia will host Albania in Leskovac’s Dubocica Stadium on October 11 in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match. Riots broke out during the match against England, when a group of hooligans attacked fans in the stands, including women and children. The incident has raised numerous questions among the public, including whether the attackers have any links to previous security incidents, but so far the relevant institutions have not provided answers.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela has ruled out the introduction of abortion in Malta, saying his government has no mandate to legislate on the issue or call a referendum. Speaking on ONE TV, Abela dismissed suggestions that abortion reform could be considered during his administration. “We have no mandate to introduce abortion,” he said.

His remarks came a day after activists gathered outside the law courts in Valletta, demanding the decriminalisation of abortion. Abela, however, criticised a recent court judgment that handed a 28-year-old woman a 22-month suspended prison sentence for undergoing a medical abortion. He said the woman had not taken her decision “capriciously” and argued the case raised broader questions of justice.

The case reignited debate in Malta, the only EU member state with an almost complete ban on abortion. According to the 2025 European Abortion Policy Atlas, Malta ranked second lowest among 53 countries surveyed, scoring just 3.7%. The only country scoring lower was Andorra.

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Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – PSG coach Luis Enrique will be without Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia for tomorrow evening’s Champions League away match against Barcelona. The Georgian, who sustained an injury against Auxerre on Saturday, has been left out of the squad. Vitinha, also recovering from injury, and Joao Neves, who has returned after missing the last two Ligue 1 matches, are instead included. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué, who are still injured, are also expected to be absent.

Below is the complete list of players called up: 2 Achraf Hakimi, 4 Lucas Beraldo, 6 Illia Zabarnyi, 8 Fabián Ruiz, 9 Gonçalo Ramos, 17 Vitinha, 19 Lee Kang-in, 21 Lucas Hernandez, 24 Senny Mayulu, 25 Nuno Mendes, 29 Bradley Barcola, 30 Lucas Chevalier, 33 Warren Zaïre-Emery, 39 Matvey Safonov, 41 Mathis Jangeal, 47 Quentin Ndjantou, 49 Ibrahim Mbaye, 51 Willian Pacho, 87 João Neves, 89 Renato Marin.

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Neymar’s return to Santos will have to wait a little longer. The Brazilian club’s president, Marcelo Teixeira, has announced that the 33-year-old striker, currently injured, will not be available until November. The Brazilian star is therefore expected to play only in the final matchdays of the season, scheduled until December 6th and 7th, which are crucial for the team fighting to avoid relegation.

The former Barcelona and PSG player suffered a tear to the femoral muscle in his right thigh during training in mid-September. Doctors estimate approximately six weeks of rehabilitation before a return to competitive activity. Since returning to Santos at the beginning of the year, Neymar has been hampered by various physical issues that have limited his performance: he has made 21 league appearances so far, scoring six goals. Santos’ medical staff remains confident that the player will be fully recovered by the end of the season.

For Neymar, the immediate goal is to return to help the club in the race to avoid relegation, with the prospect of regaining a place in the Selecao as well.

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Source: medNews

NAPLES (ITALPRESS) – Romelu Lukaku has lost his father. The Belgian striker of Napoli himself shared the news of Roger’s passing in a moving post on Instagram: “Thank you for teaching me everything I know. I will always be grateful to you and will always look up to you.Life will never be the same. You protected and guided me like no one else could. I will never be the same. Now there is pain and tears, but God will give me the strength to get back on my feet.”

Napoli also expressed condolences to the player: “President Aurelio De Laurentiis, vice president Edoardo De Laurentiis, coach Antonio Conte, sporting director Giovanni Manna, the board, the staff, the squad and the entire Napoli family stand by Romelu Lukaku in this moment of deep sorrow for the loss of his dear father Roger.”

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Players which competed in the FIFA Club World Cup after their domestic league season are among hundreds at the top of men’s football who lack adequate offseason or preseason periods, increasing risks to player health and performance, according to the annual FIFPRO Player Workload Monitoring Report published in collaboration with Football Benchmark. Maheta Molango, FIFPRO board member, said: “This report gives you the factual evidence of what is happening in football. Players are either getting injured or not being able to perform at their best because they are pushed to their limit.”

Chelsea and PSG, the two Club World Cup finalists, had just 13 and 7 days, respectively, for the preseason. According to the study on minimum standards for protecting player workload, it is recommended that players be given 28 days off and another 28 for preparation.

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Around fifty top athletes, united under the initiative of Nujum Sports, have signed a petition published on the independent platform Athletes 4 Peace. In the document, released yesterday, the signatories urge Israel’s immediate suspension from all international sporting competitions until, it states, the country “complies with international law and puts an end to the massacre of civilians and the spread of famine.”

The text highlights how, according to the athletes, sports bodies have “a duty to take action against teams representing a country accused by a United Nations commission of committing genocide.” The initiators clarify that this is not a political initiative, but an appeal based on the principles of “justice, humanity, and respect for the values ​​that sport claims to defend.”

Among the fifty signatories are several well-known names in international football. In particular, former Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, currently at Monaco, has openly expressed his support. He is also joined by Moroccan Hakim Ziyech, who previously played for Ajax and Chelsea, former Bordeaux striker Cheick Diabaté, and Crystal Palace and former Lens midfielder Cheick Doucouré.

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Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “There’s a bit of emotion. It’s my first experience in the Champions League as a coach. We’re returning to Europe’s premier competition after three years, and we’re particularly interested in doing well in front of our fans. Mourinho as an opponent? He made history in the Champions League, with Inter, in England, and in Portugal.” This was what Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca told Sky Sport on the eve of the Champions League first-round match against Benfica. “The last two games have been affected by two red cards. We have several players injured. We need to evaluate three of them. We’ll see,” Maresca added.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews