PSG started off their campaign with a regulation 5-0 win against Clermont Foot in the Ligue 1 with Lionel Messi scoring two late goals in the game.
Paris Saint-Germain started off their campaign in the Ligue 1 with a 5-0 win against Clermont Foot. In the match, Lionel Messi scored two late goals, including a first-ever bicycle volley in his professional career.
Neymar was the one who started off the scoring in the 9th minute of the game, from where the rest of the players took off to put on a dominant show. However, all of this was in the absence of Kylian Mbappe, who was out injured for the game. Speaking about their fixture against Montpellier on Saturday, the coach sai that he was a little worried about the rhythm the three are going to show together.
“The three of them are used to playing together, they are very efficient. At the moment it’s true that Ney and Leo, who have done the whole preparation, who also have played two 90 minutes games – the Champions Trophy and also in the Ligue 1, – they are a bit more in the rhythm,” he said.
“I have no fear that Kylian will be in the rhythm quickly, but we’ll see how long he can play. They are used to it, I don’t have any worries about that, they know each other perfectly, they know how to play for each other and obviously it’s a big extra asset to have Kylian with us,” the coach showed confidence in Mbappe despite his concerns.
Speaking about Lionel Messi and how he has been gelling with the squad after his shock transfer from LaLiga, the coach showered high praise on the player.
“I can’t be surprised, when you have such a record and you have played so many games, won so many trophies and been so decisive in your career, it’s because you are a great professional. And he confirms it, since the 4th of July Leo has been doing all the training sessions, he is involved in all the sessions, he is smiling, he exchanges with his partners,” he said.
“He is also, I think, a source of example for our players and I appreciate every moment of seeing him on the field and saying hello to him every day because he obviously represents the example to follow in his investment. He has won everything,… he misses only the biggest trophy, the World Cup, but with his club he has won everything,” the manager concluded.
PSG have put together a strong line-up this time around and are looking to add more players before the transfer window closes on September 1. The team, despite major investments, have not been able to win a Champions League.