PSG seek Super Cup defence in Salzburg but Luis Enrique warns of limited preparation
Paris Saint-Germain will look to retain the UEFA Super Cup when they face Aston Villa in Salzburg on Wednesday, but manager Luis Enrique warned the match may lack the intensity of a typical top-level contest because his players have had limited preparation.
PSG won the trophy for the first time last season after beating Tottenham Hotspur on penalties and also lifted the Champions League during that campaign. They will face Europa League winners Aston Villa in Salzburg as they begin a bid to win a second successive UEFA Super Cup. The French champions have had little time to prepare after 15 of their players featured at the World Cup, which ended just over three weeks ago. Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz was part of the title-winning squad, while five PSG players represented France as they reached the semi-finals.
Luis Enrique told reporters on Tuesday that the club's internationals had only recently returned to the group. "The internationals have only just come back, the French, Spanish and Moroccans came back on Monday, the Brazilians and Portuguese on the third, one week ago," he said. "In terms of a top-level game tomorrow, it will be difficult to see that. Some of our players have barely trained but the ones who have will play tomorrow. In terms of preparation, this is not how it should be."
He said the club were pleased to be competing for another trophy while underlining where the priority lies for the season. "We set ourselves ambitious targets, we will continue to do so," he said. "We are preparing for the season intelligently and we want to be in the best condition at the end of the season, rather than at the start of the season."
The match in Salzburg comes amid wider turmoil in European football, with FIFA facing growing criticism over its plans and UEFA threatening to boycott FIFA competitions. Asked about the controversy, Luis Enrique declined to comment. "I focus on my team, my players, the transfer window. I have no words about that," he said. "That is for politicians, I am not a politician. I have an opinion for sure, but not here, that's not the place."
According to the BBC, PSG have been given an additional dressing room in Salzburg. That followed the club expressing unhappiness at being allocated the smaller away dressing room. Aston Villa are set to use the home dressing room.
PSG will also defend the French Super Cup against Lens on Sunday. That fixture gives them the chance to add another trophy before turning their attention fully to the new campaign.
