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Ibrahimovic and PSG struggling in French league

By WTOP Staff

SAMUEL PETREQUIN
AP Sports Writer

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain’s dependence on Zlatan Ibrahimovic is proving to be problematic for coach Laurent Blanc.

When Sweden’s all-time top scorer doesn’t perform, PSG struggles, as it was again the case in a 1-1 home draw with Lyon on Sunday that prompted jeers and boos from the home crowd.

After dropping its first points at home this season, PSG is fifth in the league standings, three points behind leader Marseille ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Caen.

Here are some things to know about this week’s matches:

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UNINSPIRED IBRAHIMOVIC

PSG has drawn its last three games in all competitions after failing to hold onto its lead. Laurent Blanc’s side remains unbeaten, but with 10 points from six games the club got off to its worse start to the season since Qatari investors took over in 2011.

Blanc’s preferred 4-3-3 lineup has the backing of a majority of players but the system did not give much trouble to PSG’s opponents so far, especially when Ibrahimovic underachieves.

The imposing Swede looked out of sorts against Lyon, taking his first shot after 77 minutes and having only 40 touches on the ball, his lowest tally in a full league match.

“We need to work hard and come back,” Ibrahimovic said without elaborating on his own display.

Despite his rivalry with Ibrahimovic for the sole striker spot, Edinson Cavani is the only real positive at PSG these days. After netting PSG’s goal in a 1-1 draw against Ajax in the Champions League, the Uruguay striker was again on the scoresheet against Lyon.

“When the club fails to get good results it creates a sense of unease,” Blanc said. “The players are very disappointed. When you’re at a club like PSG, you have to get results.”

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GIGNAC IS BACK

Often criticized for his weight and his taste for junk food, Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac is answering back with his best start to a season.

Back to his best under new coach Marcelo Bielsa, a no-nonsense disciplinarian, Gignac is in great physical shape and tops the scoring charts with six goals ahead of Tuesday’s match at Reims.

Gignac missed out on a spot in France’s World Cup squad but the pace and determination he showed in a 3-0 win over Rennes over the weekend could lead France coach Didier Deschamps to give him a recall for next month friendlies against Portugal and Armenia.

“Hard work is paying off,” Gignac said, explaining that competition for the striker spot at Marseille is having a positive effect on him. “The training sessions are really difficult and I have to repay the club with the trust it puts in me. This year I’m playing with Michy (Batshuayi), who would deserve more time on the pitch and can score with both feet. I need to be a leader by example.”

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BASA EXTENDS DEAL

Lille remains the only team unbeaten in the French league alongside PSG, having conceded just one goal in six matches.

Rene Girard’s team has found the net only six times in the meantime and is being slammed for its supposed boring style of play by pundits and rivals. Girard is not looking for more offensive power though, having just convinced Montenegro defender Marko Basa to extend his stay in northern France.

The 31-year-old Basa, who joined the club from Lokomotiv Moscow in July 2011, has been playing a crucial role in Lille’s defensive solidity and was close to leaving for Roma as his performances did not stay unnoticed in Europe. He has finally decided to sign a four-year contract extension until 2019.

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BACK ON TRACK

After a poor start to the season, things are starting to gel at Monaco and Lenordao Jardim’s team will be looking for a third consecutive win in all competitions at Montpellier.

Monaco, which lost Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez, was lucky to win its Champions League opener against Bayer Leverkusen last week after the German club dominated for long stretches before conceding against the run of the play.

The win boosted the team’s confidence and Monaco improved in a 1-0 win over Guingamp that lifted the club outside the relegation zone. Monaco’s profligacy could be a source of worries for Jardim, who prefers to focus on the defensive improvements.

“We believe in the players who are in this side,” Jardim said. “The team is starting to stabilize, especially in central defense.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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