Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain underlined their status as Europe’s top club with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg on Wednesday.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué scored either side of a debut goal from Villa teenager Brian Madjo as PSG retained the trophy they won 12 months ago against another Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur.
The Super Cup pits the winners of Europe’s premier club competition against the champions of the Europa League.
Both sides fielded strong line-ups ahead of the start of their respective domestic campaigns. PSG’s starting XI included nine players who featured in May’s Champions League final victory over Arsenal, among them Vitinha, João Neves and captain Marquinhos.
New signing Lucas Digne, who joined PSG from Villa on Sunday, was named among the substitutes against his former club.
Villa rested World Cup campaigners Ezri Konsa, Emiliano Martínez and Ollie Watkins, while manager Unai Emery handed debuts to midfielder João Gomes and striker Madjo.
Boubacar Kamara also made his first start since suffering a serious knee injury in January.
Kvaratskhelia breaks deadlock
Kamara came closest to opening the scoring in the 13th minute when his low long-range effort narrowly missed the target, with PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov watching it go wide.
The chance appeared to stir PSG into action. Marco Bizot parried an effort before the French side recycled possession to Kvaratskhelia on the left.
The Georgian winger cut inside in the 20th minute and unleashed a powerful strike at the near post to give PSG the lead.
Kvaratskhelia continued to trouble Villa’s defence, releasing Nuno Mendes moments later, but the left-back’s cut-back evaded his advancing teammates.
Villa weathered the pressure and should have levelled before the half-hour mark, but Madjo headed John McGinn’s cross wide.
The 17-year-old continued to threaten and eventually got his reward on the stroke of half-time. McGinn picked him out inside the box in the 45th minute, and Madjo fired a left-footed effort into the roof of the net to draw Villa level.
PSG coach Luis Enrique responded at the break by introducing Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé for new signing Maghnes Akliouche.
Villa began the second half strongly, with Madjo and McGinn again combining effectively. McGinn forced Safonov into a save with a curling effort.
But PSG regained the lead in the 61st minute through Doué. The France international raced down the right and curled the ball into the Villa net, only for the assistant referee to initially rule him offside.
VAR overturned the decision after determining that Villa right-back Matty Cash had played Doué onside, sparking celebrations from the PSG winger.
Villa nearly responded immediately through 19-year-old George Hemmings, but Safonov stood firm to preserve PSG’s advantage.
Warren Zaïre-Emery then threw himself in front of a João Gomes effort as Villa continued to push for an equaliser.
With 15 minutes remaining, Enrique introduced World Cup winner Fabián Ruiz to strengthen PSG’s midfield as Villa searched for a way back into the game.
Villa’s best opportunity came inside the final 10 minutes, but Tammy Abraham was unable to reach Alysson’s cut-back inside the six-yard box.
PSG held on to secure victory and make a winning start to their new season, with the French champions now setting their sights on an unprecedented third consecutive Champions League title.
AFP
