Mauricio Pochettino will remember that he won his first title as a coach, in Lens, in the middle of winter, with a Champions Trophy against OM (2-1). Two weeks after the Argentinian (48) took office at PSG, his new players offered him a first row in his coaching record. The ex-technician from Tottenham came to Paris to win. The tone is therefore set. But its leaders await it elsewhere, in a rebound in L1 already before leaving to conquer the C1.
This tenth Champions Trophy in Parisian history, the eighth in a row since 2013, appears, in the eyes of Parisian players and supporters, as revenge for the defeat suffered at the Parc des Princes, in the first Classic of the season, on the 13th. September, which was a heated match (1-0, 5 red cards). The evening was quieter on Wednesday.
Icardi doubly decisive, Neymar scorer
PSG was worn by Mauro Icardi back in number 9. After his successful comeback last Saturday with a goal and an assist against Brest at the Parc (3-0), the Argentinian distinguished himself at Bollaert by being decisive on two occasions. Already by opening the scoring in the first period following a 100% Argentine goal. On a caviar of Angel Di Maria, the ex-striker of Inter Milan took the best between Alvaro and Sakai to deliver a head well rejected by Steve Mandanda. But Mauro Icardi followed in a fox and, with the help of the post, pushed the ball to the back (39th). Just after, in the stoppage of play of the first period, his overpowered strike from the left from the entrance to the area crashed full iron on the Marseille cross (45th + 2). The Argentinian will wait forty minutes to switch the meet. He was then mowed down by Yohann Pelé (who replaced Mandanda, hit a thigh at half time) in the Marseille area. The penalty awarded with the help of the VAR is transformed by Neymar, on the wrong foot (85th).
Paredes weighed more than Verratti
PSG were also carried by another Argentinian in midfield. Also back, Leandro Paredes was particularly to his advantage and much more than Marco Verratti, still aligned higher by Pochettino but who was hardly impacting, just like Ander Herrera. The Parades-Di Maria-Icardi trio was in action in Paris. Kylian Mbappé was a tone below and Neymar, back from injury, made a good entry (65th, in place of Di Maria) with his goal twenty minutes later.
At OM, a good inspiration from Payet but deficiencies in peak
OM hardly existed in the first period in all registers except Alvaro Gonzalez who held the house behind. With Dimitri Payet in number 9, the Marseillais had no opportunity worthy of the name. They woke up in the second half with a little tactical rearrangement from AVB and Payet back on the left side. But it is from the right that the Reunionese reduced the score on a beautiful service from Florian Thauvin at the end of the game (89th). The French international woke up too late despite this good inspiration from the right foot. Marseille can harbor regrets for not having dared enough despite attempts by Radonjic (48th), Thauvin (53rd) – who was shaken up in the second period – as well as Caleta-Car (60th).
For his first with OM, Lirola made a good entry in 66th place in place of Nagatomo but taking the right side. Marseille may regret not having a number 9 as clinical as Icardi and even a tone below the Argentinian. His weakness at the top has once again gotten his eyes out on this Champions Trophy which puts the two clubs tied for the Classics of this season. But the beautiful will not be long. It is scheduled for February 7 at the Vélodrome.
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