Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique hailed his players as the “best squad in the world” after the French champions booked a place in the Uefa Champions League semi-finals for a second successive season, despite a 3-2 second-leg defeat to Aston Villa on Tuesday night.
The result saw PSG advance 5-4 on aggregate, with early goals from Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes proving vital. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a standout performance to deny Villa from taking the game to extra time, prompting special praise from his manager.
“I think I have the best squad in the world, not only the goalkeeper,” said Luis Enrique. “Gigi is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. And I have to say that match, for us, allows us to grow up and compete even better.”
Having already wrapped up the Ligue 1 title, the Qatar-owned club now sets their sights on a maiden Champions League triumph. This marks PSG’s third appearance in the last four of the competition in five years, signalling the success of a recent policy shift away from superstar signings toward a more balanced, youthful team.
“We are really confident right now,” said Hakimi. “We are again in the semi-finals and we want to show PSG is a big team, a big club, and we want to fight for all the titles we can.”
Despite conceding twice in three minutes during a second-half resurgence from Villa, Luis Enrique remained calm.
“This is the Champions League and you have to accept that the opposition team has a lot of quality,” he said. “I think, over the two matches, we deserved to win.”
PSG will now face either Arsenal or Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
Barca bag place in last four
Elsewhere, Barcelona also secured a place in the last four, progressing past Borussia Dortmund on aggregate despite a 3-1 defeat in the second leg.
A dominant 4-0 first-leg win at the Olympic Stadium proved enough for Hansi Flick’s side, who reach the semi-finals for the first time since the 2018/19 season.
“We played two games and it's justified that we're through,” said Flick. “They made our lives very hard but what was important is we made it to the semi-finals.”
Serhou Guirassy scored a hat-trick for Dortmund in a spirited second-leg performance, but Barcelona's early advantage held firm. Midfielder Fermin Lopez, who played a key role in forcing an own goal from Ramy Bensebaini, said the experience would benefit the team moving forward.
“We’re now in the semi-finals and can draw a lot of strength from this game today because it was a big task,” said Lopez.
With a Copa del Rey final ahead and a four-point lead in La Liga, Barcelona remain on course for a potential treble under Flick.
“Now's the time to celebrate what we've done,” the German coach said. “Then we can get back to analysing what's ahead of us.”
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Abu Dhabi GP weekend schedule
Friday
First practice, 1pm
Second practice, 5pm
Saturday
Final practice, 2pm
Qualifying, 5pm
Sunday
Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps), 5.10pm
Donating your hair
• Your hair should be least 30 cms long, as some of the hair is lost during manufacturing of the wigs.
• Clean, dry hair in good condition (no split ends) from any gender, and of any natural colour, is required.
• Straight, wavy, curly, permed or chemically straightened is permitted.
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OIL PLEDGE
At the start of Russia's invasion, IEA member countries held 1.5 billion barrels in public reserves and about 575 million barrels under obligations with industry, according to the agency's website. The two collective actions of the IEA this year of 62.7 million barrels, which was agreed on March 1, and this week's 120 million barrels amount to 9 per cent of total emergency reserves, it added.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
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