Reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain kicked off their title defence with a convincing 5-0 win away to Clermont Foot despite missing star striker Kylian Mbappe.
Lionel Messi and Neymar ran the show in Mbappe’s absence as they were involved in all five of PSG’s goals and combined for two.
The Ligue 1 2022 odds already have the Parisians pegged as overwhelming favourites to repeat as champions, and their already formidable squad could get even stronger if they successfully land a couple more transfer targets.
Elsewhere, Aaron Ramsey made quite a nice debut for new club Nice as he scored just moments upon his introduction. Meanwhile, former Arsenal team-mate Alexis Sanchez looks set to join him in Ligue 1, with the Chilean star expected to move to Marseille.
Read on below as SBOTOP lists down all the latest Ligue 1 2022 news.
Messi, Neymar lead PSG to dominant opening-day win
After a somewhat underwhelming campaign (by their incredibly high standards) last season, Lionel Messi and Neymar got this new season off on the right foot as they inspired PSG to a 5-0 thrashing of Clermont Foot.
With Kylian Mbappe missing the match due to a foot injury, Messi and Neymar took charge for the Parisians as they looked back to their devastating best.
Messi bagged a brace – including an acrobatic bicycle kick – and an assist, while Neymar added a goal and a hat-trick of assists.
Next up for Messi and PSG is a match against Montpellier in their home opener this weekend.
Fabian Ruiz, PSG agree to personal terms
PSG coach Christophe Galtier could very have a new player at his disposal against Montpellier, with Fabian Ruiz close to completing his move from Napoli.
According to top football insider Fabrizio Romano, the Spanish midfielder has agreed to personal terms with PSG and the final details of the deal are being sorted out with Napoli.
Galtier started a central midfield duo of Marco Verratti and Vitinha as he played a 3-4-3 formation in their season opener against Clermont. It remains to be seen whether Galtier will revert to a midfield trio or start Ruiz in place of Vitinha.
Aside from Fabian Ruiz, PSG are also in talks with Napoli for a potential deal involving veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
PSG monitoring Wesley Fofana situation
PSG’s summer transfer business may not end with Fabian Ruiz, though, as La Parisien is reporting that they are keeping an eye on Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana.
The Parisians have been strongly linked with Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar this summer, but their interest appears to have cooled.
PSG face stiff competition from Chelsea for the 21-year-old French defender, though. The Blues have reportedly seen their latest offer of €82 million rejected by Leicester.
Galtier started a back three of Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe, and Sergio Ramos against Clermont. Kimpembe had been linked with a move away from the Parc des Princes this summer, but he appears set to stay.
Aaron Ramsey delivers on Nice debut
It has been a rough last few years for Aaron Ramsey, who had a disastrous spell at Juventus that has sidetracked his career.
However, the Welsh star got a new lease on life this summer as he had his Juve contract terminated then signed with Ligue 1 side Nice on a free transfer.
And Ramsey had himself quite a Nice debut for his new club as he scored just a minute after coming on as a substitute against Toulouse. In classic Ramsey fashion, he got into a dangerous position in the penalty area and uncorked a fine finish into the top corner to earn Nice a 1-1 draw.
With the arrival of both Ramsey and veteran goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, Nice will be hoping to build on their fifth-place finish last year and potentially break into the Champions League places.
Alexis Sanchez appears set to move to Marseille
Another former Arsenal star looks set to follow Ramsey’s move from Serie A to Ligue 1 as Alexis Sanchez appears to be on his way to Marseille.
The 33-year-old Sanchez is a free agent after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract with Inter Milan, and he has been strongly linked with a move to the Stade Velodrome.
Sanchez’s addition is the continuation of a busy offseason for Marseille. Apart from Sanchez, they have also signed former Gunners midfielder Matteo Guendouzi on a permanent deal and brought in left-back Nuno Tavares on loan. They have also bought Arkadiusz Milik, Cengiz Under, and Jordan Veretout from Serie A sides Napoli and Roma.
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