This Saturday evening, Paris Saint-Germain played out a 1-1 draw against Manchester United in a friendly match at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg. Here are the key takeaways from the game, presented in no particular order.
Matvey Safonov is gaining momentum.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper hadn’t been particularly impressive against Mallorca, though he didn’t make any glaring errors either. This time, the assessment is clearly positive. The Russian executed his clearances well and pulled off some fine saves—a very promising sign for the future.
Lucas Chevalier does not play.
On the other hand, Safonov’s “rival” didn’t even get on the pitch. The message is quite clear for the 24-year-old keeper. With Zion Suzuki (23, Parma and Japan) potentially arriving, one wonders if it might actually be the latter who goes out on loan, as rumored.
Ibrahim Mbaye and Dro Fernandez prove decisive.
PSG started strong with a brilliant team move, capped off by a low left-footed cross from Dro (an 18-year-old midfielder) to Ibrahim Mbaye (an 18-year-old forward). It is a positive sign to see these two youngsters making a decisive impact. There has been talk of Mbaye leaving; he could either be sold for a higher fee or stay and build confidence. For Dro, this momentum is a great way to kickstart the season.
Senny Mayulu captains the side again.
Just as he did against Mallorca, the 20-year-old midfielder/forward captained the team against Manchester United. This sends a strong signal regarding the Parisian academy graduate, especially given the presence of several established players. It is particularly significant at a time when questions remain about the role he might play in the squad this season.
The return of four key players.
Marquinhos (32-year-old center-back), Nuno Mendes (24-year-old left-back), João Neves (21-year-old midfielder), and Vitinha (26-year-old midfielder) came on in the 61st minute. These returns significantly strengthen the squad. These minutes could prove valuable in preparing for Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup match against Aston Villa. Naturally, Marquinhos reclaimed the captain’s armband upon entering the game.
Koukaba naturally has things to learn, but the potential is there.
Axel Koukaba, a 16-year-old defender, showed some limitations regarding the top level. He was at fault for a clearly avoidable loss of possession leading to Manchester United’s equalizer and struggled at times in one-on-one situations. However, for this academy product getting his first taste of professional-level matches, it is also worth noting that he stayed focused on the game and made some good defensive recoveries. There is potential here to be developed.
