Breaking my Twitter silence with a little portfolio update/recap of 2025, starting with an interview with Laurent Koscielny for @guardian We discussed his job as Lorient sporting director, nearly convincing Olivier Giroud to sign, and his Arsenal exit: theguardian.com/football/202…

A Désiré Doué-esque goal from Mayulu there

Seven minutes in and the Parc des Princes is chanting Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s name, having already unfurled a banner of support after his ACL injury

There’s also actual football taking place tonight! A top of the table Ligue 1 clash here at the Parc des Princes PSG v Lyon recap to follow on @VirageFootball Doué, Torres, and Akliouche are the front three for the hosts

Bordeaux see out a 4-1 win and make it 2 wins in 2 so far in the sixth tier Steve Shamal with a hat-trick, including an impressive curled strike for his third

“145 years of history, nothing will stop us” Needless to say, the French 6th tier attendance record has been obliterated this afternoon Bordeaux 2-1 up against Stade Montois at half-time

More than 11,000 Bordeaux fans (plus club legend Alain Giresse) are expected here today for their team’s first home match in the 6th tier, against Stade Montois This club came close to disappearing altogether just a few weeks ago

Flick in his presser: “We made too many mistakes in possession, but I saw lots of good things. It was a great test for us, we saw the areas to improve.” “It’s not an excuse, but mistakes happen because we’re not fresh. What the team had to do the last few weeks is incredible.”

Not for the first time in the last few seasons, a long-range strike from Vitinha has turned a European match around for PSG

Just as PSG were looking disoriented in attack and overhitting passes, Désiré Doué's corner is headed in by Lucas Hernandez - who has also done a good job keeping Lamine Yamal away from the action

Dembélé off injured already with less than 20 minutes gone (hamstring issue it seems) and replaced by Ferran Torres

A dozen Ballon d’Or nominees and nearly as many World Cup winners out on the pitch here tonight - arguably the two best teams in Europe right now facing off as PSG host Barça With Nuno Mendes absent, it’s Lucas Hernandez who has been tasked with keeping Lamine Yamal quiet

Pedri explaining in the presser that whoever manages to keep possession will have the advantage, and describes Vitinha as “one of the best playmakers, if not the best”

Barcelona training at the Parc des Princes tonight ahead of tomorrow’s match Hansi Flick explained in his presser that facing “the best team in the world over the last 2 years” would be a good opportunity to judge his team’s level

Rosenior's response to my question on the winner: “I was a Manchester United fan. Sir Alex Ferguson’s teams always used to win in the last minute, it’s the best way to win a game, for your confidence and belief. I’d rather not concede 3 penalties, but if that’s what it takes…”

FT: 4-3 An assured attacking performance from Paris FC, but three (!) penalties from Lepaul nearly clinched a draw for Rennes Sinayoko with an overhead kick and a stoppage-time winner, but Pagis and Kebbal were the standouts - two of the most technically gifted players in L1

Bordeaux’s first match in the sixth tier and since the sale of the club, an away trip to Bayonne, ends in a 2-0 win!

Quite a balanced mix of boos and cheers as Giroud goes out to warm up on the touchline

My next dispatch for @VirageFootball will be from North London - Lille (2nd in L1 now) taking on Arsenal here in the toughest test of Davide Ancelotti’s senior coaching career so far LOSC winger Dilane Bakwa is one to watch given his recent form, while Giroud starts on the bench

Loudest cheer of the night from the Stade de France as Michael Olise comes on