Belatedly but not very surely, Paris has finally launched its season. In the rural setting of Klagenfurt, fields and mountains surrounding the Worthersee Stadion and in a heavy then windy and finally rainy climate, fifteen members of the Collectif Ultras Paris had made the trip to see their team draw (2-2) against Sturm Graz, who have three more weeks of preparation than the French champion. PSG conceded two goals after an individual error by Naoufel El Hannach (15th) and on a beautiful strike by Kiteshvili (41st).
Apart from this score, which is not very interesting, this first match will have allowed us to see the first steps of Matvey Safonov. It is still too early to make a definitive judgment but apart from a shot from a tight angle pushed away and a header easily stopped, the Russian goalkeeper, who arrived at the beginning of the summer for 20 million euros, has not yet shown anything that would make him a credible competitor to Gianluigi Donnaruma. First beaten in the duel, he can do nothing about a powerful strike just before the break.
Kolo Muani, assists, M’Baye scores for his first
From this first test, we will also remember that Lucas Beraldo went off after half an hour of play, victim of a slight sprain (he was slightly strapped and on crutches when he left the locker room). But also that in sequences, some Parisians showed good dispositions. Starting with Kang-in Lee who distilled a few good balls and was at the origin of the second Parisian goal. But also Ibrahim M’Baye warmly greeted by Luis Enrique when he came off (71st). At the height of his 16 years, the kid was not afraid to provoke, did not count his efforts and scored his first goal in the pros on his first shot, by sliding the ball to the near post while the opposing goalkeeper had anticipated a cross. He could also have scored a second goal on a service from Lee (59th).
In a second half that was rather listless and reflected the lack of preparation of part of the Parisian group, some of whose players had only had one training session and were only there to make up the numbers, the Parisian coach did not hesitate to launch those who returned to the PSG Campus on Monday.
Among them, Randal Kolo Muani, the assist provider, showed that he had legs and was dangerous. Moscardo and Joao Neves, two other summer recruits, played their first minutes in their new colours and we will have to be patient to see their contribution to the game. But also to see a PSG in a physical shape worthy of the name, even if RKM does not show this opinion. “There are new players and quite a few youngsters but I think it was a good first. There are things to keep and others to work on but we will continue to work to be ready for the championship. I think we will be ready”, affirmed the former Frankfurt player. On Saturday, he will meet Germany in a group that should be stronger.
STURM GRAZ – PARIS-SG : 2-2 (2-2)
Buts. PSG: Mbaye (9th), C. Soler (12th). Sturm Graz : A. Camara (15e), Kiteishvili (43e).
PARIS-SG. Safonov – Zague (Zaïre-Emery, 60th), Skriniar (Moscardo, 60th), El Hannach, Beraldo (Gadou, 32nd) – C. Soler (cap.), Lee (Kari, 72nd) – Mbaye (Barcola, 71st), G. Ramos (Ndour, 60th), Asensio, Kolo Muani (Neves, 60th). Coach: Luis Enrique (ESP).
