The big game is just around the corner, and Paris Saint-Germain is gearing up for a huge test. This Wednesday, they’ll battle Tottenham for the UEFA Super Cup in Udine. It’s a trophy PSG has never won, and they’re hungry for it. But getting their hands on it won’t be easy.
You see, PSG defender Nuno Mendes admitted the team might not be at their very best right now. “Maybe we aren’t at our physical and mental peak,” the 23-year-old left-back shared during a press conference. He knows it’s been a long haul for the players. Many are fresh off holidays, and their pre-season was cut short because of the Club World Cup. It’s tough to get back into top gear so quickly.
Still, Mendes isn’t making excuses. He’s got his eye on the prize. “We knew this would be a long season for us,” he explained. “We are doing our best to reach a good level tomorrow. We will try to give our maximum to hit our stride again.” He stressed that despite any fatigue, the team’s focus is sharp. “This is our job, and we are very concentrated,” he added. That’s the kind of attitude you need in a cup final.
This match pits the European champions against the Europa League winners, Tottenham. Both teams will be eager to add a major title to their cabinet. For PSG, it’s about making history with their first-ever Super Cup victory.
The chatter around the team has included some roster decisions. Mendes chose not to weigh in on goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma not being called up for the squad. He simply stated it’s “the coach’s job” to make those calls. He also sidestepped questions about who on the PSG squad might be a favorite for the Ballon d’Or award. For Mendes, that’s just noise. “The important thing is to win the game and the title,” he said, keeping the spotlight on the team’s collective goal.
This match has a strong Portuguese flavor, too. On PSG’s side, Mendes will be joined by teammates Vitinha and Gonçalo Ramos. Standing across the pitch for Tottenham will be fellow countryman João Palhinha. And the referee for this big game? None other than Portugal’s João Pinheiro.
One notable player missing for the French champions is João Neves, another Portuguese international. He’s out for two games after getting a red card in the Club World Cup final. That match, played back on July 13 in the United States, saw PSG suffer a clear 3-0 defeat to Chelsea. Neves’s absence means the team will need others to step up.
All eyes will be on Udine as these two European giants clash. PSG might be a bit tired, but Mendes’s words make it clear: they’re ready to fight for that trophy.