Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) aim to begin the season by retaining the UEFA Super Cup when they take on Aston Villa on Wednesday, but manager Luis Enrique is not expecting a great game, citing his side’s lack of preparation because of the World Cup.
Last season, PSG won the trophy for the first time after a penalty shootout victory over Tottenham Hotspur, following their long-awaited Champions League triumph. A second successive win in Europe’s top club competition brings them up against the Europa League winners in Salzburg.
PSG had 15 players competing at the World Cup, which ended just over three weeks ago, including midfielder Fabian Ruiz, who won the tournament with Spain, and five members of the France squad that reached the semi-finals.
“We are pleased to be here because it means we did a good job last season, but in terms of preparation it is very difficult to manage,” Luis Enrique told reporters on Tuesday.
“The internationals have only just come back. The French, Spanish and Moroccans came back on Monday, while the Brazilians and Portuguese returned a week ago. It is a situation created by the schedule."
“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.”
PSG will also defend the French Super Cup on Sunday against Lens, and while the manager is keen to add more silverware to the club’s collection, the upcoming campaign remains the main focus.
“We set ourselves ambitious targets, and we will continue to do so,” Luis Enrique 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.”
The football world has been in turmoil for the past few weeks following FIFA’s abandoned plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors after widespread backlash.
The internationals have only just come back. The French, Spanish and Moroccans came back on Monday, while the Brazilians and Portuguese returned a week ago. It is a situation created by the schedule.Luis Enrique, Paris Saint-Germain manager
UEFA are still threatening to boycott FIFA competitions, FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing increasing pressure, and Luis Enrique was asked for his thoughts on the controversy.
“I focus on my team, my players and the transfer window. I have no words about that,” he replied.
“That is for politicians. I am not a politician. I have an opinion, of course, but not here. This is not the place.”
According to the BBC, PSG have been allocated an additional dressing room in Salzburg. The French club were reportedly unhappy after being given the away dressing room, which is smaller than the home dressing room that Aston Villa will use.