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"description": "Daily Maverick is an independent online news publication and weekly print newspaper in South Africa.\r\n\r\nIt is known for breaking some of the defining stories of South Africa in the past decade, including the Marikana Massacre, in which the South African Police Service killed 34 miners in August 2012.\r\n\r\nIt also investigated the Gupta Leaks, which won the 2019 Global Shining Light Award.\r\n\r\nThat investigation was credited with exposing the Indian-born Gupta family and former President Jacob Zuma for their role in the systemic political corruption referred to as state capture.\r\n\r\nIn 2018, co-founder and editor-in-chief Branislav ‘Branko’ Brkic was awarded the country’s prestigious Nat Nakasa Award, recognised for initiating the investigative collaboration after receiving the hard drive that included the email tranche.\r\n\r\nIn 2021, co-founder and CEO Styli Charalambous also received the award.\r\n\r\nDaily Maverick covers the latest political and news developments in South Africa with breaking news updates, analysis, opinions and more.",
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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The European Champions League final in Munich at the end of May is set: Inter Milan versus Paris Saint-Germain. An old sage of European soccer against an uninitiated but ambitious youngster. It promises to be a fierce battle.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both sides had to dig deep to reach this final stretch of the competition. Inter emerged as 7-6 aggregate victors in one of the most riveting soccer matches of all time. With the first leg ending in a tense 3-3, Barcelona and their Italian counterparts once again put on a show for neutrals in the reverse fixture.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With both teams throwing a flurry of punches and counterpunches, it took an extra-time uppercut from midfielder Davide Frattesi to settle the exhilarating tussle once and for all, thus breaking the hearts of Barcelona’s Hansi Flick-coached youngsters.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PSG’s path to just their second Champions League final (compared with Inter’s six) was not as anxiety-inducing as the one Inter had walked. The French side comfortably beat the Gunners of London 3-1 on aggregate.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2710204\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213325481.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1764\" height=\"1175\" /> <em>Fabian Ruiz Pena of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Achraf Hakimi and Joao Neves during their Champions League semifinal against Arsenalin Paris on 7 May 2025. (Photo: Catherine Steenkeste / Getty Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2710201\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213968974.jpg\" alt=\"Inter PSG Champions League\" width=\"1740\" height=\"1160\" /> <em>Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates with teammates following their Champions League semifinal victory over Arsenal at Parc des Princes in Paris on 7 May 2025. (Photo: David Ramos / Getty Images)</em></p>\r\n<h4><b>The better team lost?</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite this scoreline, Arsenal were far from outplayed over the two legs. In fact, they put up a valiant effort and created numerous chances to score. The English side would have had many more goals than the consolation goal they scored in Paris on Wednesday night, if not for the numerous decisive saves by Inter goalkeeper </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-04-30-gianluigi-donnarumma-stands-tallest-in-star-studded-psg-side-as-they-edge-arsenal/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gianluigi Donnarumma</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta went as far as saying they deserve to be travelling to Munich at the end of this month because they have been the best team in the Champions League. He said the difference between his team and PSG was Donnarumma.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“When you look at the two games, who has been their best player on the pitch? It has been the goalkeeper. He’s made a difference for them in the tie,” Arteta said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We were very close, much closer than the result showed, but unfortunately we are out,” the Spaniard added.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luis Enrique, his PSG counterpart, respectively disagreed with Arteta, rightfully pointing out that, at the end of the day, converted chances win games, not created chances. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Mikel Arteta is a great friend, but I don’t agree at all… But in the two legs we scored more than them and that is the most important thing in football,” Enrique said.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2710210\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213327990.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1749\" height=\"1173\" /> <em>Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta consoles Jurrien Timber after their Champions League semifinal defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. (Photo: Marc Atkins / Getty Images)</em></p>\r\n<h4><b>‘Farmer’s league’</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enrique, who coached Barcelona to European glory in 2015, could not help but take a jab at the English Premier League too. It is considered the best league in the world from a commercial and competitive perspective.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The French top tier, on the other hand, has the opposite reputation, especially since PSG’s ascension to the summit of Ligue 1 just over a decade ago. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backed by the billions of Qatar Sports Investments, the Parisians have monopolised the French top flight, winning the league in 11 of the past 13 seasons.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This has led to Ligue 1 being labelled a “farmer’s league”. This jibe originates from the early days of competitive soccer, when most players were only semi-professional and had to juggle playing the sport with full-time occupations, such as farming. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2710211\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213793888.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1762\" height=\"1145\" /> <em>Inter Malan coach Simone Inzaghi celebrates victory over Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan on 6 May 2025. (Photo: Daniela Porcelli / Sports Press Photo / Getty Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2710196\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213987717.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1734\" height=\"1174\" /> <em>Nuno Mendes of PSG, PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Declan Rice of Arsenal during their Champions League semifinal in Paris on 7 May 2025. (Photo: Jean Catuffe / Getty Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2710209\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213307778.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1808\" height=\"1142\" /> <em>Dejected Arsenal coash Mikel Arteta applauds the fans at full-time after being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain. (Photo: Catherine Ivill – AMA / Getty Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But PSG beat all four participating English teams (Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool) on the way to this season’s final. Enrique, who joined PSG in 2023, could not help but point this out after his team eliminated the Gunners.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The league of farmers, no? We are the league of farmers. But it’s nice. We are enjoying the result and the compliments of everybody speaking of our team, our mentality, how we play… It’s nice,” he told TNT Sports. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Now we are enjoying not only the result, but also the confidence of everybody speaking about our team,” he continued. “We are a young team, but the mentality, the character and the way we play football is nice.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It means a lot [to reach the final]. A lot. We dreamed of a Champions League final. Our first goal when we arrived in Paris was to make history and we are on the right path.”</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2710194\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213961296.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1168\" height=\"1735\" /> <em>Nuno Mendes of PSG clears the ball during his team’s Champions League semifinal clash with Arsenal. (Photo: Lionel Hahn / Getty Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2710193\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213961290.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1732\" height=\"1154\" /> <em>Nuno Mendes of PSG and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal compete for the ball during their Champions League semifinal. (Photo: Lionel Hahn / Getty Images)</em></p>\r\n<h4><b>Sage vs student</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite their perennial dominance in France, PSG only managed to reach their first Champions League final in 2020. They were defeated 1-0 by Bayern Munich.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, three-time European champions Inter are in their second final in three seasons. Their previous appearance in the decider ended in a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, while their most recent of three overall victories in Europe’s premier club competition came all the way back in 2010. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Italian side’s mentor – Simone Inzaghi – praised his team’s Herculean semifinal showing against Barcelona, and is hopeful they can pull off another spirited display against a young PSG outfit.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It took a super Inter [to beat Barcelona], applause for these guys. Two monstrous performances were put on the pitch. I’m happy to be their coach, they gave me everything they had,” Inzaghi said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inter and PSG now have a few weeks to prepare for what promises to be an enthralling tussle for European glory on Saturday, 31 May in Munich. </span><b>DM</b>",
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"name": "Nuno Mendes of PSG and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal FC in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Parc des Princes on May 7, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)",
"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The European Champions League final in Munich at the end of May is set: Inter Milan versus Paris Saint-Germain. An old sage of European soccer against an uninitiated but ambitious youngster. It promises to be a fierce battle.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both sides had to dig deep to reach this final stretch of the competition. Inter emerged as 7-6 aggregate victors in one of the most riveting soccer matches of all time. With the first leg ending in a tense 3-3, Barcelona and their Italian counterparts once again put on a show for neutrals in the reverse fixture.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With both teams throwing a flurry of punches and counterpunches, it took an extra-time uppercut from midfielder Davide Frattesi to settle the exhilarating tussle once and for all, thus breaking the hearts of Barcelona’s Hansi Flick-coached youngsters.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PSG’s path to just their second Champions League final (compared with Inter’s six) was not as anxiety-inducing as the one Inter had walked. The French side comfortably beat the Gunners of London 3-1 on aggregate.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2710204\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1764\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2710204\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213325481.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1764\" height=\"1175\" /> <em>Fabian Ruiz Pena of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Achraf Hakimi and Joao Neves during their Champions League semifinal against Arsenalin Paris on 7 May 2025. (Photo: Catherine Steenkeste / Getty Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2710201\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1740\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2710201\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213968974.jpg\" alt=\"Inter PSG Champions League\" width=\"1740\" height=\"1160\" /> <em>Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates with teammates following their Champions League semifinal victory over Arsenal at Parc des Princes in Paris on 7 May 2025. (Photo: David Ramos / Getty Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n<h4><b>The better team lost?</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite this scoreline, Arsenal were far from outplayed over the two legs. In fact, they put up a valiant effort and created numerous chances to score. The English side would have had many more goals than the consolation goal they scored in Paris on Wednesday night, if not for the numerous decisive saves by Inter goalkeeper </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-04-30-gianluigi-donnarumma-stands-tallest-in-star-studded-psg-side-as-they-edge-arsenal/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gianluigi Donnarumma</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta went as far as saying they deserve to be travelling to Munich at the end of this month because they have been the best team in the Champions League. He said the difference between his team and PSG was Donnarumma.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“When you look at the two games, who has been their best player on the pitch? It has been the goalkeeper. He’s made a difference for them in the tie,” Arteta said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We were very close, much closer than the result showed, but unfortunately we are out,” the Spaniard added.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luis Enrique, his PSG counterpart, respectively disagreed with Arteta, rightfully pointing out that, at the end of the day, converted chances win games, not created chances. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Mikel Arteta is a great friend, but I don’t agree at all… But in the two legs we scored more than them and that is the most important thing in football,” Enrique said.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2710210\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1749\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2710210\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213327990.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1749\" height=\"1173\" /> <em>Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta consoles Jurrien Timber after their Champions League semifinal defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. (Photo: Marc Atkins / Getty Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n<h4><b>‘Farmer’s league’</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enrique, who coached Barcelona to European glory in 2015, could not help but take a jab at the English Premier League too. It is considered the best league in the world from a commercial and competitive perspective.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The French top tier, on the other hand, has the opposite reputation, especially since PSG’s ascension to the summit of Ligue 1 just over a decade ago. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backed by the billions of Qatar Sports Investments, the Parisians have monopolised the French top flight, winning the league in 11 of the past 13 seasons.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This has led to Ligue 1 being labelled a “farmer’s league”. This jibe originates from the early days of competitive soccer, when most players were only semi-professional and had to juggle playing the sport with full-time occupations, such as farming. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2710211\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1762\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2710211\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213793888.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1762\" height=\"1145\" /> <em>Inter Malan coach Simone Inzaghi celebrates victory over Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan on 6 May 2025. (Photo: Daniela Porcelli / Sports Press Photo / Getty Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2710196\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1734\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2710196\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213987717.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1734\" height=\"1174\" /> <em>Nuno Mendes of PSG, PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Declan Rice of Arsenal during their Champions League semifinal in Paris on 7 May 2025. (Photo: Jean Catuffe / Getty Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2710209\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1808\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2710209\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213307778.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1808\" height=\"1142\" /> <em>Dejected Arsenal coash Mikel Arteta applauds the fans at full-time after being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain. (Photo: Catherine Ivill – AMA / Getty Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But PSG beat all four participating English teams (Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool) on the way to this season’s final. Enrique, who joined PSG in 2023, could not help but point this out after his team eliminated the Gunners.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The league of farmers, no? We are the league of farmers. But it’s nice. We are enjoying the result and the compliments of everybody speaking of our team, our mentality, how we play… It’s nice,” he told TNT Sports. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Now we are enjoying not only the result, but also the confidence of everybody speaking about our team,” he continued. “We are a young team, but the mentality, the character and the way we play football is nice.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It means a lot [to reach the final]. A lot. We dreamed of a Champions League final. Our first goal when we arrived in Paris was to make history and we are on the right path.”</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2710194\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1168\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2710194\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213961296.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1168\" height=\"1735\" /> <em>Nuno Mendes of PSG clears the ball during his team’s Champions League semifinal clash with Arsenal. (Photo: Lionel Hahn / Getty Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2710193\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1732\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2710193\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2213961290.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1732\" height=\"1154\" /> <em>Nuno Mendes of PSG and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal compete for the ball during their Champions League semifinal. (Photo: Lionel Hahn / Getty Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n<h4><b>Sage vs student</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite their perennial dominance in France, PSG only managed to reach their first Champions League final in 2020. They were defeated 1-0 by Bayern Munich.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, three-time European champions Inter are in their second final in three seasons. Their previous appearance in the decider ended in a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, while their most recent of three overall victories in Europe’s premier club competition came all the way back in 2010. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Italian side’s mentor – Simone Inzaghi – praised his team’s Herculean semifinal showing against Barcelona, and is hopeful they can pull off another spirited display against a young PSG outfit.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It took a super Inter [to beat Barcelona], applause for these guys. Two monstrous performances were put on the pitch. I’m happy to be their coach, they gave me everything they had,” Inzaghi said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inter and PSG now have a few weeks to prepare for what promises to be an enthralling tussle for European glory on Saturday, 31 May in Munich. </span><b>DM</b>",
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Fabian Ruiz Pena of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Achraf Hakimi and Joao Neves during their Champions League semifinal against Arsenalin Paris on 7 May 2025. (Photo: Catherine Steenkeste / Getty Images)
Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates with teammates following their Champions League semifinal victory over Arsenal at Parc des Princes in Paris on 7 May 2025. (Photo: David Ramos / Getty Images)
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta consoles Jurrien Timber after their Champions League semifinal defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. (Photo: Marc Atkins / Getty Images)
Inter Malan coach Simone Inzaghi celebrates victory over Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan on 6 May 2025. (Photo: Daniela Porcelli / Sports Press Photo / Getty Images)
Nuno Mendes of PSG, PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Declan Rice of Arsenal during their Champions League semifinal in Paris on 7 May 2025. (Photo: Jean Catuffe / Getty Images)
Dejected Arsenal coash Mikel Arteta applauds the fans at full-time after being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain. (Photo: Catherine Ivill – AMA / Getty Images)
Nuno Mendes of PSG clears the ball during his team’s Champions League semifinal clash with Arsenal. (Photo: Lionel Hahn / Getty Images)
Nuno Mendes of PSG and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal compete for the ball during their Champions League semifinal. (Photo: Lionel Hahn / Getty Images)