Even without Neymar, French leader PSG routs Amiens 5-0

Neymar was not missed as runaway French league leader Paris Saint-Germain crushed Amiens 5-0 on Saturday for a 10th straight league win.

Neymar was given a few days off by coach Thomas Tuchel after playing for Brazil in the international break. PSG faces Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday and is then away to bitter rival Marseille on Sunday.

Except for Neymar, PSG's lineup was near full-strength and the defending champion easily extended the best start to the league. PSG is averaging nearly four goals per game but should have scored even more. Some sloppy finishing will not have impressed Tuchel, who is trying to instill more intensity into the side.

PSG's Angel Di Maria, centre, Amiens' Prince-Desir Gouanop, right, and Amiens' Emil Krafth challenge for the ball during the French League One soccer match between Paris-Saint-Germain and Amiens at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)

Winger Angel Di Maria set up the first two goals with superb delivery from corners, taken from the right and curled with his left foot. Brazil defender Marquinhos headed home in the 12th minute and midfielder Adrien Rabiot likewise with a near-identical glancing header shortly before halftime.

It should have been 3-0 moments later, but striker Edinson Cavani somehow shot wide when he had an open goal. PSG's all-time leading scorer then headed Di Maria's superb cross wide early in the second half.

Germany winger Julian Draxler started and finished a move, finding left back Juan Bernat with a pass and heading home Bernat's deflected cross in the 81st.

PSG's Angel Di Maria, left, and Amiens' Prince-Desir Gouanop challenge for the ball during the French League One soccer match between Paris-Saint-Germain and Amiens at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)

One minute later, France World Cup star Kylian Mbappe collected a quick pass from Moussa Diaby and curled a shot through the legs of a defender into the bottom corner for his ninth league goal. Diaby showed quick feet to dribble past three defenders and slot home the fifth.

In late matches, France great Thierry Henry made his coaching debut as 18th-place Monaco traveled to play Strasbourg.

Marseille, Montpellier, Saint-Etienne and Bordeaux play on Sunday and all have a chance to overtake Lyon in third place.

PSG's Marquinhos celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris-Saint-Germain and Amiens at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)

Marseille travels to play Nice; Saint-Etienne faces Rennes, and Montpellier hosts Bordeaux.

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PSG's Kylian Mbappe controls the ball during the French League One soccer match between Paris-Saint-Germain and Amiens at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)

PSG's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris-Saint-Germain and Amiens at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)

MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) — Ivory Coast teenager Yan Diomande is remarkably unfazed by reports he could be a 100-million-euro ($116 million) signing for one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

The 19-year-old Diomande has made an impressive start to the Africa Cup of Nations and says he is fully focused on helping the Elephants defend their title.

“I want to win this competition, this is my biggest dream, and then after go back to my club and try to play there and (learn) everything and play in the Champions League. This is my dream,” Diomande told The Associated Press in Marrakech this week.

Diomande, who joined German team Leipzig in the summer, has been linked with Bundesliga rival Bayern Munich, Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as European champion Paris Saint-Germain.

But they are likely to meet strong resistance from Leipzig, which is healthy financially after big-money sales in recent years and has ambitions of its own after missing out on European qualification last season.

Diomande himself says he’s in no hurry to leave.

“For now, I’m happy there,” Diomande said of Leipzig. “Everyone likes me there and I’m enjoying there. I’m not looking at everything (happening) around me. I am trying to stay focused on my road. I’m trying to focus on my way. Trying to be concentrated on my club.”

Strong, with explosive pace, Diomande already has six goals and set up three more in 14 Bundesliga appearances for Leipzig. He broke his nose in a win over Werder Bremen in November and needs to wear a protective mask.

Leipzig, which is backed by energy drinks manufacturer Red Bull, signed Diomande from Spanish side Leganés, where he spent one season and made 10 La Liga appearances including his debut against Real Madrid. He joined Leganés after moving from Florida-based AS Frenzi.

“I had to work for long and I had to travel to a lot of countries for this, and today I’m making my dream true, so I’m very proud,” Diomande said of his early travels.

Including his goal in the 3-0 win over Burkina Faso in the Africa Cup last 16, he has three in eight appearances for Ivory Coast. He scored twice in World Cup qualifying and can look forward to a return to the United States for this summer’s tournament.

“I studied there, I went to USA. It’s gonna be good to be back there, to see my friends, to see the countries, and enjoy the World Cup,” he said.

But first, there’s the Africa Cup, where defending champion Ivory Coast faces seven-time champion Egypt in the quarterfinals on Saturday before a potential semifinal against Senegal on Wednesday.

“It’s going to get harder but we are ready and we’re confident," Diomande said. “We’re going to go there and try to fight, have a good spirit, a good mentality and win.”

AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations

Ivory Coast's Yan Diomande is challenged by Cameroon's Junior Che Malone during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Ivory Coast and Cameroon, in Marrakech, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Burkina Faso's Steeve Yago, right, challenges Ivory Coast's Yan Diomande during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso in Marrakech, Morocco, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Burkina Faso's Issa Kabore, right, challenges Ivory Coast's Yan Diomande during the Africa Cup of Nations best of 16 soccer match between Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso in Marrakech, Morocco, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)