By Karl Matchett
With World Cup finalists still building back up in pre-season and both clubs having extended 2025/26 seasons due to their glorious European cup runs, both Luis Enrique and Unai Emery might have to juggle their resources for this new season curtain raiser.
Changing face of PSG’s attack
Considering they’ve won back-to-back European titles there might be some surprise that the Ligue 1 champions are looking to make moves in the front line, which from a depth perspective will look very different at PSG this season.
Gonçalo Ramos has departed, Lee Kang-In has been sold and Randal Kolo Muani had no intention of returning. There might be more exits too, with Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye both linked with Liverpool, among others. Replacements have to hit the ground running and contribute plenty, then – so adding French international Maghnes Akliouche as a midfiled schemer is an important move, while both Mika Godts and Ferran Torres are expected to complete moves to Paris too.
Of course, they are all the support acts, for now at least, but Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué went almost the full distance at the World Cup so it will be Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who represents the continuity bet from Champions League final in the Puskás Arena to Super Cup at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg.
Almost a rebuild
For Emery and Aston Villa, the hope a couple of months ago might have been to kick on with the next step and challenge even higher, despite some impending financial constraints due to Squad Cost Ratio rules. Instead, they’ve faced the need to almost completely rebuild parts of the team due to injuries and transfers elsewhere.
Amadou Onana’s ACL injury and the departure of Youri Tielemans means a new midfield is effectively on the cards, while World Cup starlet Johan Manzambi hasn’t kicked a ball since signing, injured with Switzerland still absent now. The record-breaking sale of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea is another massive downgrade from last term too.
All this – plus Lucas Digne was sold to PSG, meaning he could get his first outing against the side he’s just departed.
Recent results
Friendly matches don’t really tell much, especially after a summer tournament, but PSG drew with Man United last week and Villa lost to Bayern.
Team news
Barcola and Dembélé are in the PSG squad but might not start, while all eyes are on the goalkeeping position after Lucas Chevalier lost his spot to Matvey Safanov last term.
Villa will hope new additions João Gomes and Alejandro Garnacho can have a quick and positive impact. Tammy Abraham could start up front but teenager Brian Madjo has made a big pre-season impact.
Key player
Senny Mayulu will want to take a step forward this term so this could be a big game to show what he’s able to do. He played over 1,600 minutes in Ligue 1 last year, and was in and around the top 10% of midfielders in terms of big chances created and xG per 90 – but he can also play up front too.
Prediction
The Super Cup might be effectively a pre-season extension for these teams so hopefully some goals but probably a Paris win too: PSG 3-2 Villa.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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