PSG coach brushes aside criticism of team spirit
Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique on Monday brushed aside criticism from Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele over a lack of team spirit at the Champions League holders ahead of their knockout-round playoff first leg at Monaco on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
Dembele was critical of his teammates after PSG lost 3-1 at Stade Rennais, calling for unity and for players to stop playing for themselves.
Friday's defeat came after a challenging few months in which they failed to finish in the top eight of the Champions League and struggled to dominate Ligue 1 as they have in the past, according to Reuters.
Brentford edge past Macclesfield 1-0 with own goal in FA Cup
Brentford advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a slender 1-0 away victory against minor-league Macclesfield on Monday, the match decided by a second-half own goal from Sam Heathcote, Reuters reported.
Sixth-tier Macclesfield, who knocked out holders Crystal Palace in the previous round, frustrated their Premier League opponents in the first half.
Goalkeeper Max Dearnley made some fine saves, denying Brentford's Reiss Nelson from close range. Macclesfield's James Dawson came closest to scoring for the hosts with a long-range effort that sailed just wide, according to Reuters.
Arsenal visit Mansfield, Man City at Newcastle in FA Cup fifth round
Arsenal will visit League One Mansfield Town, while Manchester City travel to Newcastle United in a mouth-watering all-Premier League tie following the FA Cup fifth round draw on Monday, Reuters reported.
Third-tier Mansfield stunned top-flight strugglers Burnley 2-1 at Turf Moor on Saturday and have been rewarded with a clash against 14-times winners and Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola's City face Newcastle in a repeat of one of this season's League Cup semi-finals, while Premier League bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers host Liverpool, according to Reuters.
Barcelona stunned by Girona 2-1 to leave Real Madrid top of LaLiga
Barcelona were stunned by Girona who roared back to win 2-1 at home in a breathless Catalan derby on Monday, as last season's champions failed to return to the LaLiga summit, leaving Real Madrid top of the table, Reuters reported.
Barcelona struck the woodwork twice in the first half, Raphinha hitting the post before Lamine Yamal fired a penalty against the same upright in added time after Dani Olmo was fouled inside the box.
Pau Cubarsi finally put the visitors ahead in the 59th minute, rising to head home Jules Kounde's cross from a short corner, but Girona levelled three minutes later when Thomas Lemar converted from close range after Vladyslav Vanat's cross caused confusion, according to Reuters.



