Imagine this: you’ve just battled through a grueling Club World Cup final. You lost. Now, you’re looking forward to a bit of a break, a proper pre-season. But for Paris Saint-Germain, that break is over. They reported back to work this past Wednesday. And get this: their pre-season clock is ticking down to a mere seven days. Yes, you read that right – seven days.
The reason for this blink-and-you-miss-it preparation? A huge match looms. On August 13, the reigning European champions will clash with Tottenham. They’re facing off in the UEFA Super Cup. It’s a massive game, and it’s coming up fast. The short turnaround means there’s no time to waste.
Their day at the PSG Campus was packed. Players went through the usual battery of medical exams. They also had their first training sessions. To keep things moving quickly, the team was divided into two groups. The first group had their tests in the morning and then trained in the afternoon. The second group did things the other way around. It was a busy day for everyone involved.
Many familiar faces were there. Portuguese stars Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Vitinha, and Gonçalo Ramos all showed up. But one player really caught everyone’s eye: Gigi Donnarumma. Remember, the goalkeeper has been in a bit of a fight with the club’s management. It’s all about his contract renewal. People are saying he might leave. PSG is even talking to Lille about signing Lucas Chevalier.
Even during their short vacation, the squad wasn’t just sitting around. French news reports say the players followed a strict individual training plan for ten days. They did this to soften the blow of such a short pre-season. There aren’t any friendly matches scheduled before the Super Cup. Still, coach Luis Enrique might put the team through its paces behind closed doors. They have to be ready, fast.