Football essentials, 20 October: PSG v Barcelona on, Kompany a doubt, Ronaldo suspended

Paris stages the heavyweight tie of matchday three tonight, with Lille and Lens on Wednesday’s cards. Most of the day’s news happened away from the pitch: a sick manager, a token ban, a superstar told where he stands. Here is what I take from it.

PSG v Barcelona goes ahead, without Nuno Mendes

The tie is confirmed despite the unrest of recent days: Laurent Nuñez ruled out any postponement. Luis Enrique named a 23-man squad without Nuno Mendes, who hurt his left thigh at Strasbourg on Saturday, but with Marquinhos and Senny Mayulu back. With Lamine Yamal in the form of his life, Paris’s problem on the left flank is wide open, and a curfew in parts of the capital will send the crowd home early.

Kompany “touch and go” for Bayern against Arsenal

A virus affecting his legs kept Vincent Kompany away from training and the press conference on Tuesday. His assistant Aaron Danks describes him as “touch and go” for the Allianz Arena dugout: “It has affected his legs at times. It’s just a virus.” The Guardian reports a staff ready to work without him.

Ronaldo banned 30 days, ten Hag settles scores

Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for 30 days and fined £215 after walking out on Portugal before the Denmark match, a ban backdated so that he can return for the next international window. He claims Jorge Jesus broke his word after leaving him on the bench in Norway; the coach denies it. Erik ten Hag reopened the Manchester United wounds: Ronaldo “let the team down”. Our account of the ban.

Mourinho: only the badge is untouchable

Asked about Vinícius, José Mourinho swept aside any notion of inherited status: “What makes a player untouchable is performance.” The Brazilian, suspended for four league matches, should return to the Champions League eleven on Wednesday, six points behind Barcelona before the Clásico. RMC Sport carried the press conference.

Lille need points, Ancelotti says

On Wednesday at 6.45pm, Lille host Galatasaray in a match classed as high risk. The club sits on zero points after defeats to Betis (2-3) and Arsenal (0-3), and Davide Ancelotti made the urgency plain: his side have to “start taking points”. Our report covers his looted neighbourhood and the security around the game.

Yalçin takes over Turkey before meeting France

The Turkish federation has appointed Sergen Yalçin for four years. He replaces Vincenzo Montella, sacked earlier this month, and his CV is all Turkish clubs: the league-and-cup double with Besiktas in 2020-21 is his best line. First test in November, against France. L’Équipe announced the appointment.

Mbappé handed a fake Ballon d’Or

A guest of the “Djadel Show”, out on Netflix from Tuesday, Kylian Mbappé was handed a cardboard trophy in front of the Paris crowd: “The 2026 Ballon d’Or goes to Mobutu Mbappé”, the comedian announced. The real ceremony follows on 26 October, with the France captain among the favourites. Our story of the prank.