The Paris SG has started its season 2019-2020 with a first title, the Champions Trophy, with Rennes (2-1), Saturday in Shenzhen China. This is the ninth time, the seventh in a row, that the Parisians win this trophy.
The French champion, however, suffered to beat strong Bretons, who opened the scoring by Adrien Hunou (13th, 0-1). The Chinese fans will remember the dribbles and the goal of Mbappé (57th, 1-1), that "oohh" accompanied each shot, and the winning free-kick of Angel di Maria (72nd, 2- 1), in this evening that was not the most beautiful of French football, in a stadium with two thirds empty and on a lawn in very bad condition.
In the absence of Neymar, suspended, the world champion and the Argentine have lived up to their popularity in China. They each scored to kick off their team's athletic season and preserve the club's economic ambitions, which want to thrive in the region.
Good start for Leonardo
It is also an ideal start for the new sports director Leonardo, recalled in the capital to succeed Antero Henrique, thanked after the last catastrophic end of season. In addition to bringing a 40th title to the club, this success erases the humiliation of the final of the Coupe de France lost to the Bretons.
Thomas Tuchel, criticized for having missed the national quadrupled last season, must also blow: he is on the bases to achieve the Grand Slam that had succeeded his predecessor Unai Emery before his departure.
In the field, the German technician was able to play his South Americans Marquinhos, Di Maria and Thiago Silva, just returned from extended vacation due to the Copa America. Paris will start the League 1 in full, in a week, waiting for the return near Presnel Kimpembe, injured.
Promising Sarabia
Tuchel also saw that Mbappé had legs, and that he had lost none of his sense of purpose. He also noted the contribution of Spanish rookie Pablo Sarabia. A powerful winger (16, 27) and author of a decisive pass for Mbappé.
This good news will hide the fragility of the central hinge formed by Thilo Kehrer and Abdou Diallo, which is not going to last with the returns of Thiago and Kimpembe. The defenders were guilty on Hunou's goal, and it was also necessary to save the Brazilian to avoid a goal in extra time (90th).
From the stands, Neymar must have seen that PSG was also struggling to be dangerous without him. His creation and his ability to change the pace failed his teammates, who could have made it easier.
While he did not hide his desire to leave France during the transfer window, he will be eagerly awaited on Sunday for the resumption of Ligue 1, against Nimes at the Parc des Princes. His team too. But it is in May 2020 that it will be judged on its results.
With AFP