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French Classique: Paris Saint-Germain face Marseille for the top spot

A fiery clash awaits in Ligue 1 between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille. Enrique aims to consolidate their lead, while De Zerbi seeks to appease the fans amidst significant absences.

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Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille

All eyes of football fans worldwide, and especially in France, will be on the stadium this Sunday for the highly anticipated match where Spanish coach Luis Enrique prepares to lead his Paris Saint-Germain side in a heavyweight clash against arch-rivals Olympique de Marseille, in the 21st round of the French Ligue 1. This match comes at a crucial juncture in the season, as the Parisian club seeks to capitalize on its strong momentum of recent months to solidify its position at the top of the table.

The historical and competitive dimensions of the Clásico
mean that the matches are not just ordinary three-point games, but rather a historical and geographical clash between North and South, and between the capital and the southern region, giving them an intense atmosphere that extends far beyond the pitch. Although Paris Saint-Germain enters the match as the reigning champion and European champion – according to the current season's standings – bolstered by a six-match winning streak in the league, the pressure is mounting from all sides. The competition this season appears exceptionally fierce, especially with Lens, just two points behind, in close pursuit and delivering impressive performances that culminated in their reaching the quarterfinals of the French Cup.

Enrique and De Zerbi's Challenges
: In statements reflecting the difficulty of the situation, Luis Enrique acknowledged the tough competition after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Strasbourg, secured by a late goal despite being down to ten men following the dismissal of Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi. Enrique affirmed that Lens deserves to be in contention, noting that the improved form of Marseille and Lyon will make the final stretch of the season an extremely challenging race. Paris Saint-Germain will be without the suspended Hakimi, while the participation of Georgian Khvica Kvaratsikhilea remains doubtful due to injury.

On the other hand, Marseille, under the guidance of Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi, are experiencing a period of inconsistency. The team, currently third in the standings and nine points behind the leaders, has suffered a series of dramatic fluctuations, culminating in their Champions League exit and a disastrous 3-0 defeat to Belgian side Club Brugge, sparking outrage among their southern French fans. Despite a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over Rennes in the Coupe de France, De Zerbi is aware that facing Paris Saint-Germain will require peak concentration, describing their opponents as "the strongest team in Europe" at the moment.

Amidst the transfer market frenzy and the influx of new faces
, and away from the Classique clash, the French league is witnessing significant activity in the transfer market, with veteran striker Ciro Immobile (36 years old) emerging as one of Paris FC's most important winter signings. The Parisian club is looking to capitalize on the experience of the Italian goalscorer and Euro 2020 champion to bolster its attack and avoid relegation, despite a shaky start with a loss to Lorient in the cup.

The Saudi News Network first launched on Twitter via its official account, @SaudiNews50, and quickly became one of the Kingdom's leading independent news sources, thanks to its fast and reliable coverage of major local and international events. Due to the growing trust of its followers, the network expanded by launching its website, a comprehensive news platform offering regularly updated content in the fields of politics, economics, health, education, and national events, presented in a professional style that meets the public's expectations. The network strives to enhance public awareness and provide accurate information in a timely manner through on-the-ground reporting, in-depth analysis, and a specialized editorial team, making it a trusted source for anyone seeking up-to-the-minute Saudi news.

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Riyadh officially announces the departure of Ibrahim Bayesh during the winter transfer window

Al-Riyadh Club officially announces the departure of Iraqi professional Ibrahim Bayesh during the winter transfer window. Learn more about the decision and the team's position in the Saudi Professional League standings.

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Al-Riyadh FC, a Saudi Arabian club competing in the Saudi Professional League, officially announced the termination of its contract with Iraqi playmaker Ibrahim Bayesh during the current winter transfer window. This decision comes as part of the club's efforts to restructure the team and seek alternative options to bolster the squad for the remainder of the season.

Details of Ibrahim Bayesh's departure from Riyadh

The 25-year-old Iraqi star joined Al-Riyadh in the summer of 2014 amid high expectations that he would be a strong addition to the Riyadh-based club's attack, given his impressive technical abilities and international experience. Despite these hopes, statistics accompanying the news report indicate that Baish only made one appearance for Al-Riyadh this season, prompting his decision to leave during the winter transfer window in search of a new opportunity.

Al-Riyadh Club's position in the Roshan League

The decision to release Baish comes at a critical time for Al-Riyadh, who currently sit in 16th place in the Saudi Professional League standings with only 12 points. This precarious position puts them in danger of relegation, making it imperative for the management and coaching staff to utilize the winter transfer window effectively to strengthen the squad with players capable of lifting the team out of the relegation zone and securing their place in the top flight.

Ibrahim Bayesh's career and his regional importance

Ibrahim Bayesh is one of the most prominent names in Iraqi football in recent years, having contributed effectively to the "Lions of Mesopotamia" national team in numerous international and regional tournaments. He played a key role in Iraq's victory in the Gulf Cup (Gulf 25) held in Basra. The presence of Iraqi players in the Saudi league reflects the significant development in sporting relations between the two countries and the high level of competition in the Roshan League, which has become a destination for the continent's and the world's top stars.

The importance of the winter transfer window for struggling clubs

The winter transfer window is of paramount importance for clubs struggling with poor results, such as Al-Riyadh. Changes to the foreign player roster are often the quickest way to get back on track. The coming days are expected to see intensive activity from the Riyadh-based club's management to compensate for the departure of Baish with new signings that meet the fans' expectations and help the team improve its position in the league standings, given the fierce competition in the Saudi league this season.

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Weather forecast for the Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ittihad match: Rain expected at Al-Awwal Park

Check the expected weather conditions during today's Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ittihad match in the Roshan League. The forecast predicts cloudy skies and light rain with ideal temperatures at Al-Awal Park.

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Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ittihad match

Tonight, Friday, the eyes of Saudi and Arab football fans will be on Riyadh, specifically the "Al-Awwal Park" stadium, for the highly anticipated derby match between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Professional League. In anticipation of this major football event, fans are also eagerly awaiting the weather forecast to ensure a perfect atmosphere in the stands.

In this context, the National Center for Meteorology revealed details of the expected weather conditions during the match. Riyadh is expected to experience relatively stable and mild weather, with partly to mostly cloudy skies. The center also predicted a chance of light to moderate rain at intervals, adding a distinctly wintry feel to the match, which kicks off at 8:30 PM Saudi time.

Reports from the Meteorology Department indicate that temperatures will be ideal for playing football, with a high of around 19 degrees Celsius expected during the match. This weather pattern will help players perform at their best, minimizing heat stress. The department also noted that winds will be southwesterly, with speeds ranging from 14 to 28 kilometers per hour, and the expected humidity will be around 45%.

This encounter holds special significance beyond being merely a league match; clashes between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad are historically among the most prominent fixtures in Saudi football, enjoying immense popularity both locally and regionally. This match comes at a time when the Saudi league is experiencing tremendous development and attracting some of the world's top stars, making tonight's game at Al-Ahli Stadium a highly anticipated event for fans across all continents.

Al-Nassr's home ground, Al-Awwal Park Stadium, is a modern sports facility offering a unique atmosphere for fans. With the expected mild weather, the stands are anticipated to be packed with supporters cheering on both teams in this exciting match. The National Center of Meteorology has urged fans and those interested to follow its official channels for continuous weather updates to ensure their safety and enjoyment of the match.

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Riyadh officially signs Algerian Victor Lekha: Details of the deal

Al-Riyadh FC has officially announced the signing of Algerian midfielder Victor Lekha from Kuwaiti club Al-Qadsia. Learn about the player's statistics, details of the winter transfer window, and the team's situation.

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Victor Lakha, the new player of Al-Riyadh Club

Al-Riyadh Club, which competes in the Saudi Professional League, announced today, Friday, that its board of directors has officially completed the procedures for signing Algerian defensive midfielder Victor Lakha, coming from the ranks of Kuwaiti club Al-Qadsia, as part of the club's management's efforts to strengthen the team's ranks with experienced players during the current winter transfer period.

This signing comes as a strategic move by Al-Wusta School's management to bolster their defensive midfield, as the 31-year-old player possesses extensive experience. Lakh joined Kuwait's Al-Qadsia during the last summer transfer window, following a successful stint in the Qatar Stars League with Umm Salal, who signed him in the summer of 2023/24 from the prestigious French club Le Havre, reflecting the player's gradual professional development across various leagues.

Looking at the statistics that reflect a player's technical ability, Victor Lekha, who has five international caps for the Algerian national team, was a highly effective player last season with Umm Salal. He played 30 matches, transcending his defensive role to score five goals and provide three assists for his teammates in 2,674 minutes of play. This makes him a strong addition to Al-Riyadh's midfield, which needs players with leadership qualities and the ability to link the lines.

This deal is part of a broader move by Al-Riyadh Club in the winter transfer window, as the management seeks to improve the team's performance in the league. Prior to this announcement, the club had already signed Abdul-Ilah Al-Khaibri, Rayan Al-Balushi, Enis Sali, and Faisal Al-Subhi, in a serious effort to restructure the team to compete effectively in the second half of the Roshan League season.

On the field, the team faces a significant challenge today, as Al-Riyadh travels to face Neom at 5:25 PM this Friday, in the 21st round of the Roshan League. This match is of paramount importance to the Riyadh-based team, which is struggling in the standings.

Al-Riyadh Club enters this match occupying the sixteenth position in the Roshan League standings with (12) points, a position that puts it in the immediate danger zone, making the three points a basic requirement, and doubling the importance of the new deals, most notably Victor Lakha, in providing the desired technical addition to lift the team out of the relegation zones and ensure its survival among the elite.

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