PSG Stuns Monaco 3-2 in Champions League — and more

PSG staged a remarkable comeback against AS Monaco in the Champions League playoff first leg, overcoming a 0-2 deficit to secure a 3-2 victory. Désiré Doué's performance was pivotal in the turnaround.

In other Champions League matches, Real Madrid defeated Benfica 1-0, while Juventus suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat against Galatasaray in Istanbul.

Atlético Madrid captain Koke was put forward to speak to the media ahead of the UEFA Champions League play-off first leg against Club Brugge on Wednesday night, and he addressed a number of topics surrounding the club.

“I’m in the moment I need to be in, doing what my coach asks of me,” Koke reflected, when asked about his future beyond this season. “I want to help, I feel good, I’m happy.

“A lot of people thought I was finished because of my age, but at 34 I feel good and I can contribute to the team,” he said.

Koke on motivation

“I feel very motivated. When I put on the Atlético shirt, I want to win, especially in these knockout stages. I want to win everywhere. Playing a good game (motivates me). Hopefully it will be a good day.”

Koke on inconsistent form

“How can I explain it? We are human beings, there are good days and bad days. If we had the recipe for playing perfectly, like on the day against Betis or Barcelona, we would do it every day. We are the first to want to win, we are the first to suffer and understand what is happening to us, and we want to achieve that consistency to do great things. We are in good form in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, and hopefully we will play well, as we are doing in the Copa del Rey.”

Koke on emotions after Rayo defeat

“When you lose a match, you want revenge. We play every three days. If you lose, you want revenge. We have to be more united than ever, and that’s one of the ways we’re preparing for what’s to come.”

Koke on previous visits to Brugge

“It wasn’t a good memory, and hopefully that will change. Third time lucky, and hopefully we can win. We’ve drawn and lost here.”

Koke on the game

“We have to enjoy it. There’s no pressure. We’re doing what we always do. We’re really excited and ready for the match.”

Cubs' Moises Ballesteros looking to take the next step this year originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Ahead of the 2021 season, Moises Ballesteros signed as an international free agent with the Chicago Cubs and went straight to the Dominican Summer League Cubs. 

The following year, he would play in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Cubs and then go on to Single-A. In 2023, in Double-A, he would become the club's Minor League Player of the Year.

He would play the majority of his games in Triple-A last season, but did get some MLB experience. He made his debut in May and ended up playing in 20 games. 

MORE: Veterans and a top prospect square off for the Cubs' fourth outfielder spot

Cubs' Moises Ballesteros looking to take the next step this year

During his cup of coffee in the big leagues, Ballesteros hit .298/.394/.474 with two doubles, a triple, two home runs, and 11 runs batted in. 

With Kyle Tucker gone, his role for the Cubs has gotten much bigger now. Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter believes he could be the club's biggest offensive breakout this year. 

"After a forgettable five-game cup of coffee in May and a one-off promotion in July, Ballesteros was called up for good in mid-September, and he hit .333/.435/.564 with four extra-base hits and five RBI in 46 plate appearances. The Owen Caissie trade makes him the clear beneficiary of Kyle Tucker's departure, with all signs leading to Seiya Suzuki shifting back to right field and Ballesteros slotting in as the primary DH."

Ballesteros is expected to be primarily used as a DH, while getting back behind the plate when he is needed. He will need to perform well to keep Suzuki out in the outfield. 

If he struggles at DH, you can expect the Cubs to move Suzuki back to the DH spot and put someone like Dylan Carlson or Chas McCormick to play the outfield. So, all eyes will be on Ballesteros early this year.

More MLB news:

• MLB analyst puts the pressure on Marlins' Owen Caissie to perform
• Nacho Alvarez Jr. looks to turn his Arizona Fall League success into MLB stardom
• Everything points toward a massive offensive breakout for Kyle Teel in 2026
• The Rockies are holding a massive open casting call for infielders
• Pirates' fans won't like seeing this Konnor Griffin roster prediction

Norway's Tormod Frostad beat the top favourites and claimed freestyle skiing men's big air gold at the Milan/Cortina Winter Games on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old was leading after the first two runs with scores of 95.25 and 97.00.

In the third and final run, United States' Mac Forehand took the lead with a monstrous score of 98.25 points, meaning Frostad needed to at least beat his first-run score.

And that was exactly what he did - registering the biggest individual score of the competition with 98.50 points to take the first title of his career with a total of 195.50 points.

"The last run, I'm already super happy with my own run, and I'm still a bit shocked. I did it for fun, and it worked out just fine, and I'm very happy," the Norwegian said.

"I can't wait to watch it back and see how it all looked, because it's impossible to tell when you're doing it. I'm beyond happy to land three runs, and that it took me to the top spot."

Ahead of the Winter Games, Frostad had only one World Cup win to his name.

Twice X Games winner Forehand had to settle for silver, while bronze went to Austria's Matej Svancer.

"I've never been in that position with two 95s before. I usually always mess up on my first or second jump and have to play it safe in my last two, but I landed the first two perfectly," Forehand said.

"I knew I had to one-up one of the tricks and I deliberated with my coaches for like five minutes at the top about what I should do. We talked about that trick (a nose butter triple cork 2160) for a while, and I just had to finally ski away and be OK and be alive."

The start of the competition was delayed by 15 minutes due to heavy snowfall. The weather conditions in Livigno have forced several changes to the freestyle skiing and snowboarding schedules.

Ahead of Tuesday night's game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Michigan Wolverines coach Dusty May addressed a viral video from his star forward Yaxel Lendeborg that painted the Boilermakers in a bad light. May wants Lendeborg to learn from the experience.