Friendly: PSG held in check by Leipzig one week before the start of Ligue 1

For its second friendly match, PSG managed to hold on to RB Leipzig (1-0) thanks in particular to a goal from Gonçalo Ramos.

Paris Saint-Germain is starting to speed up its preparation. After playing its very first match on Wednesday against Sturm Graz (2-2), Luis Enrique’s team faced a much tougher opponent this time: RB Leipzig, with Xavi Simons, who has decided to play another season on loan in the Bundesliga. For this match, PSG showed up with its latest recruit: Willian Pacho. The Ecuadorian defender started alongside Milan Skriniar and ahead of Donnarumma, who was back in goal for Paris after the lackluster debut of Russian Matvey Safonov. Carlos Soler played at right-back. In midfield, we found Vitinha, Warren Zaire-Emery, Kang-In Lee, while in attack, Luis Enrique relied on Kolo Muani, Asensio as a false nine and the very young Ibrahim Mbaye, who scored points in the first match.

The challenge for this match was simple: reassure themselves and start to slowly increase their power. But the start of the match was rather in Leipzig’s favour, who took advantage of the spaces between the lines to create a few opportunities. On the other side, it was Kolo Muani, positioned as a left winger, who tried to provoke with the ball. But if Pacho made good interventions, Milan Skriniar clearly seemed to be struggling in anticipation and in managing depth. PSG quickly conceded a goal in a situation that the supporters know well. On a corner at the far post, and after a hesitation from Donnarumma, Loïs Openda sent a blocked shot, but it went into the Italian goalkeeper’s goal (12th).

Gonçalo Ramos equalizes

PSG failed to be dangerous in this match. Young Ibrahim Mbaye provoked, but lacked precision in the final move, while Asensio was far too discreet. In defense, Skriniar still did not reassure and Donnarumma had to work hard to avoid conceding a second goal. So, after the break, Luis Enrique decided to rotate. Naoufel El Hannach, Senny Mayulu, João Neves, Gonçalo Ramos, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola came into play to try to show better and turn the match around. And it paid off since PSG regained control of the ball and seemed much sharper during transitions.

Young Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves seemed to be on form and was available to take charge of the game. Ousmane Dembélé, true to himself, provoked on his wing without ever finding the precision in his last move. But PSG were rewarded for their good intentions in the second half thanks to Gonçalo Ramos. The Portuguese striker, at the edge of the area, sent a very nice shot into the top corner of the Leipzig goalkeeper who could do nothing. The score would not change despite Parisian domination. A week before the resumption of Ligue 1, PSG has had another draw and will therefore face Le Havre without full confidence.