Overview
- Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé confirmed Nicolas Pépé is omitted from the Africa Cup of Nations squad, stressing the choice is not a sporting sanction and follows recent off-field controversies.
- Liverpool left Mohamed Salah out of the Inter trip for non-injury reasons tied to his recent comments, with Arne Slot calling it a direct consequence and Virgil van Dijk backing the decision as an internal matter.
- Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Manchester City with Kylian Mbappé unused due to a fractured finger and muscle concerns, as Xabi Alonso said he was not fit to play.
- Pep Guardiola warned City’s current level will not suffice against leading sides such as PSG and separately lauded Rodrygo as a player of a different level after the Brazilian scored for Real.
- PSG drew 0-0 at Athletic Bilbao, where Unai Simón’s saves proved decisive, Marquinhos exited with an adductor issue, and PSG debuted the Safonov–Zabarnyi pairing during the second half; in France, Nantes coach Luis Castro castigated journalists over reports of internal rifts.