Joaquin Panichelli has established himself as one of the most effective young forwards in Ligue 1, with 18 goals and four assists in 38 appearances across all competitions.
Ademola Lookman scored on his Atletico Madrid debut as his new side thrashed Betis 5-0 in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. David Hancko headed in the 12th-minute opener from a corner before Giuliano Simeone slotted in to double the advantage in the 30th minute and Lookman fired in from inside the box eight minutes before half-time, completing a one-two with Pablo Barrios started by the forward inside his own half.
Starting with the hosts, while Strasbourg might have watched Liam Rosenior leave the Stade de la Meinau for Premier League giants Chelsea last month, Le Racing appear to be enjoying life under new boss Gary O'Neil. Despite eventually falling to a 2-1 loss at home against reigning domestic and European champions PSG over the weekend, they have won each of their other three appearances across all competitions and the ex-Wolves manager has seen his squad suffer just a single defeat from their last nine outings.
Liam Rosenior looks up at the towering Strasbourg Kop. He shouts and pleads as he points to his players, demanding the fans applaud them. Met with hostility, boos and jeers in the stands, he cuts a lone figure, one at pains to sow unity at a divided club. Strasbourg had just won the game, beating Le Havre 1-0 earlier this season, but the club's fans were in no mood to celebrate.
Elsewhere in the competition, Strasbourg ensured they sat top of the pile with a 3-1 win over Breidablik, despite the Ligue 1 side being level until the 80th minute. Sebastian Nanasi turned Ben Chilwell's cross home with just 11 minutes on the clock before Breidablik captain Hoskuldur Gunnlaugsson restored parity just before the break. However, Liam Rosenior's side struck twice in 14 minutes, with Martial Godo putting them ahead before Julio Enciso sealed the win, having assisted Strasbourg's second goal.
The player catching the eye of Chelsea, and other top clubs, is talented young Argentine Valentin Barco, who has successfully rebuilt his career in central midfield after starting out as a left-back. The 21-year-old is improving quickly and he's one of the names high up on Chelsea's list for the future, with the Blues considering making use of their ties to the Ligue 1 side.
Strasbourg's ultras - four supporter groups with a combined membership of 1,539 - believe the multi-club model compromises traditional club values. Keller previously said the ultras had "crossed the line" by targeting captain and star striker Emanuel Emegha with a banner describing him a "BlueCo's pawn" during a match with Le Havre earlier in the season. That followed the announcement that Emegha would join Chelsea in July 2026.
Growing up in India, I had an idea of Christmas that was entirely shaped by Hallmark movies: snowy streets, warm lights everywhere, and a whole town wrapped in one cozy celebration. Where I live, decorations are mostly limited to malls, and the few Christmas markets are smaller embassy events with entry fees. So, my vision of a charming winter wonderland always felt like a faraway fantasy I hoped to experience someday. Last winter, I finally did.
Chelsea are reportedly showing an interest in bringing Diego Moreira back to the club after his impressive form at fellow BlueCo club Strasbourg. The 21-year-old has shown immense potential with his performances in Ligue 1 so far this season, contributing one goal and two assists so far. That goal and one of those assists came against Paris Saint-Germain, with Moreira causing the reigning European champions plenty of problems with his intelligent play.
Starting with the hosts, making real history last season as they stormed their way to a record-breaking seventh consecutive domestic crown, Slovan Bratislava have only continued on from where they left off to the summer break. Last seen extended in their stellar start to proceedings as they secured a 2-1 victory away at Trencin, Vladimir Weiss' men have once again skyrocketed their way to the top of the First League standings.
Ismael Doukoure heading to Chelsea? Graeme Bailey said: Part of the new deal, he was handed a significant pay rise, but he also signed knowing a pathway is in place for him to follow Strasbourg team-mate Emanuel Emegha to Stamford Bridge in 2026. We can confirm that Newcastle did make an approach, but so did Brighton, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, West Ham, and others in Europe and Saudi Arabia.
"Strasbourg embarked on a sensational rise under Liam Rosenior, securing a seventh-place finish among France's elite last season and achieving a gritty 1-0 victory away at Metz."
