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PSG begins its rich 2020 summer strong

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After four months of inactivity, PSG played again in a friendly atmosphere at the Océane stadium on Sunday 12 July. The Parisians crushed Le Havre (9-0). It was the first match bringing together at least 5,000 spectators in France since mid-March. The capital’s club is preparing for the final of the Coupe de France against Saint-Etienne, for the final of the League Cup against Lyon, as well as for its quarter-final of the Champions League against Atalanta Bergamo.

The last time PSG played a football match was four months ago. In a France already affected by the coronavirus pandemic but not yet confined. It was in a Parc des Princes empty of spectators, banned due to the sanitary situation but massed by the thousands – despite the instructions – around the stadium where coach Thomas Tuchel and his men overthrew Borussia Dortmund in the return match of the round of 16 (2-0 victory after a 2-1 defeat in the first leg). It was March 11.

Four months later, this Sunday, July 12, the Rouge et Bleu are back. The authorities having decided not to resume the championship of France and to postpone to this summer the finals of the national cups, the Parisian supporters had to be patient. The wait ended at the Océane stadium, for a friendly meeting against Le Havre, a Ligue 2 resident.

5,000 spectators gathered, with strict health guidelines

This Le Havre-PSG match caught the eye, and not only to see Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and the other champions of France 2019-2020. It was the first match in the five major European championships (Germany, England, Spain, France, Italy) to be played against thousands of spectators. 5,000 to be exact (spectators, employees, journalists, members of management included), the maximum limit authorized by the French government.

The available places left very quickly, a sign of the impatience of some to see football again. All of them still had to respect the health instructions in the stands: wearing a compulsory mask, social distancing, barrier gestures … People called to evolve in the same areas as the players even had to pass screening tests at Covid-19 . There was no question of taking risks, while there is concern at the moment of a rebound of the pandemic in Europe and that the PSG has big objectives in sight.

Masked supporters who respect health regulations during the Le Havre-PSG friendly match, July 12, 2020. Benoît Tessier / Reuters

On the menu: two other friendly matches, then two national finals before the big meeting in the Champions League

On the field, there was not really a match. Le Havres were outclassed by quiet Parisians. Without Thomas Meunier, who joined Borussia Dortmund, and without Edinson Cavani, not kept after the end of his contract and not interested in an extension of a few weeks, Paris went ahead. A double from Mauro Icardi, a double from Neymar and a goal from Kylian Mbappé allowed the French champion to lead 5-0 at the break. In the second half, Idrissa Gueye, Pablo Sarabia twice and Arnaud Kalimuendo weighed in for a final score of 9-0.

PSG must still compete with the Belgians of Waasland-Beveren on July 17 and the Scots of Celtic Glasgow on July 21, still in the form of friendly matches. With the one facing Le Havre, these meetings should allow Parisians to get back on their feet before their first three major meetings (while waiting, perhaps better) in the summer.

On July 24, they will face Saint-Etienne in the final of the Coupe de France. Then, on July 31, Paris will play the final of the Coupe de la Ligue against Lyon. And on August 12, Paris Saint-Germain will challenge Atalanta Bergamo at the quarter-final stage of a reshaped 2019-2020 Champions League – due to the Covid-19 still – in one Final 8 : in Portugal, the eight quarter-finalists will meet and compete in a knockout match. PSG, which has never advanced to the quarterfinals since its acquisition by Qatar Sports Investment in 2011, put big this year.

Parisians Pablo Sarabia and Arnaud Kalimuendo scored in the friendly match against Le Havre, July 12, 2020.
Parisians Pablo Sarabia and Arnaud Kalimuendo scored in the friendly match against Le Havre, July 12, 2020. Benoît Tessier / Reuters

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