PSG are set to get a boost for the UEFA Super Cup against Aston Villa as Portuguese players Vitinha, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes and Marquinhos return to the squad.
After PSG’s draw against Manchester United on Saturday in Sweden (1-1), Rafael Pol spoke briefly. Luis Enrique’s assistant gave his analysis of the match and announced that the Portuguese players in the squad, as well as Marquinhos, could get more minutes on Wednesday in the UEFA Super Cup.
PSG has not won in its two preseason matches. This Saturday, Paris drew with Manchester United (1-1), three days after its defeat at Mallorca (3-0). “I think it was better,” Pol said after the match, as reported by L’Equipe.
“The opponent was tougher; Manchester United is one of the big teams in Europe, but we started well with a good collective move to score. After that, we had a bit of trouble controlling the match, but I think that is also normal; there were still a lot of things to make up for during the preparation,” Luis Enrique's assistant coach continued.
Vitinha, Neves, Mendes and Marquinhos should play more against Aston Villa. Not yet at full strength since the last World Cup, the players are expected at the Campus at the start of next week. Paris saw its Portuguese internationals and Marquinhos make their return to the pitch in Gothenburg.
Pol was pleased: “We tried to give them as much vacation as possible because it was important to rest. Now, they have been training with us for less than a week, but they have shown that they reintegrated into the team quickly. When they came on, we did well individually and collectively. We are happy with the way it is progressing.”
Coming on in the 61st minute against Manchester United, Vitinha, Neves, Mendes and Marquinhos should have even more playing time Wednesday against Aston Villa, as Pol said. “Yes (they could play more), but it will be different circumstances, similar to Tottenham last year.”
As a reminder, last season, the Parisians had only one week of preparation before playing the UEFA Super Cup against Spurs in Udine. That did not prevent them from winning on penalties (2-2, 4-3 pens).
So, it would obviously be a very hard match for PSG, more than a match to be played, let's say, in October. The rhythm just isn't there yet, and Luis Enrique has to be very smart in his decisions on squad selection and tactics. Even so, the Spaniard deserves the benefit of the doubt. In the end, he's the architect of the Parisian side's recent success. Let's see.
