Paris Saint-Germain secured the European Super Cup with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, ensuring Luis Enrique’s reigning European champions opened the new campaign by lifting another piece of silverware. According to match reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the French club overcame an opponent that proved physically fresher yet technically less polished, relying on a decisive second-half goal from Désiré Doué and an early strike from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Tactical Setup and Early Struggles in Salzburg
Luis Enrique kept Kvaratskhelia in his starting lineup despite the forward missing the recent World Cup, while Ousmane Dembélé began on the bench despite returning early from his summer break. The Spanish manager also deployed summer signing Akliouche alongside Doué in the attacking third, leaving midfielder Fabián Ruiz among the substitutes. Unai Emery faced a depleted Aston Villa squad stripped of several World Cup participants, including Emiliano Martínez, Ezri Konsa, and Ollie Watkins, alongside injured absentees like Amadou Onana, Lamare Bogarde, and Leon Bailey. The Villa manager handed a surprise start to goalkeeper Jeroen Bizot, deployed Myles Hemmings on the left, and selected 17-year-old striker Madjo to lead the line.
Kvaratskhelia Opens the Scoring Before Villa Misses Chances
Paris Saint-Germain struggled initially to cope with Aston Villa’s disciplined 4-2-3-1 defensive shape. However, the deadlock broke in the 20th minute when Kvaratskhelia received an exchange from Doué, cut inside from the left flank, and unleashed a powerful, precise shot past Bizot. As detailed in match analysis, the goal energized the reigning Champions League winners. Yet Villa created multiple openings through teenager Madjo, who squandered four clear opportunities in the 28th, 35th, 41st, and 44th minutes. The young forward finally converted right before halftime, steering a left-footed volley past defender Willian Pacho following a cross from John McGinn.
VAR Disallows Doubt Before Doué Secures the Winner
Seeking fresh energy after the interval, Luis Enrique introduced Dembélé into the match. The tactical shift paid off in the 15th minute of the second half when Dembélé threaded a precise through ball to launch Doué into space. Although the assistant referee raised the flag for offside, a VAR review confirmed that Matty Cash had played the French forward onside on the opposite flank, validating the goal and restoring Paris Saint-Germain’s lead at 2-1. Safonov had earlier preserved parity for the Parisian defense by stopping a fierce effort from McGinn from the edge of the area in the 6th minute, while Villa continued to press through substitute Omari Kellyman before PSG ultimately managed the closing stages.
Historical Context and Next Steps
The triumph marks Paris Saint-Germain’s second European Super Cup title, a feat previously achieved by only AC Milan and Real Madrid. Speaking after the final whistle, Doué outlined the squad’s ambitions for the ongoing campaign, stating that the team aims to win every available competition this season. The Parisian side now turns its focus toward domestic league fixtures and the defense of its continental crown.
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