The French Super Cup, or the Champions Cup, is a clash between the champion and the winner of the French Cup. It was a celebration for the fans, but for more than a decade most fans spent this holiday in front of the TV, because the French Primera Division, which wants to promote itself abroad, usually organizes the final match of the competition outside the Old Continent: in Africa, the United States, Canada and Austria. China, and more recently in Israel. In 2023, the final was supposed to be held in the summer in Thailand, but – as Kakper Sosnowski wrote in our pages – perhaps due to the transfer of Leo Messi – the event was cancelled. The Super Cup has finally arrived in the French capital at the Parc des Princes. And not in the summer, but in early January.
Not just Messi
The Argentine football god is not the only player to win the national championship in the summer but did not play in Wednesday's match. Before the season, the clubs also changed, among others: Sergio Ramos and Neymar. Even coach Christophe Galtier was replaced by Luis Enrique. But let's focus on Wednesday's game. Not even three minutes had passed and PSG were already 1-0 ahead.
Kang In Lee, who was bought by Paris Saint-Germain for 22 million euros from Mallorca in the summer, scored. The attacking midfielder from South Korea is shining more and more. This was his third goal of the season.
The 22-year-old player also participated in the French champion's second goal, because he played on the wing of Bradley Barkola, who passed the ball to Kylian Mbappe. The 2018 world champion, with his style, cut the ball from the wing to the center and increased the lead with a beautiful shot. This is the striker's 22nd goal this season.
In the second half, Paris Saint-Germain no longer pressed the pace because its opponent did not have many opportunities to score a goal. Bah! Enrique's players were closer to increasing the score, for example after Achraf Hakimi's wonderful free kick hit the post.
In the end, PSG won 2-0 and won their 12th French Super Cup in history. Interestingly: In 2024, Paris Saint-Germain will be able to win this cup again if no one postpones the event this time for a few months.
Paris Saint-Germain focuses on the Champions League
Paris Saint-Germain is the leader of the French League, already five points ahead of Nice, whose colors are defended by Marcin Boca. Toulouse is in the relegation zone.
But the main goal for Mbappe and his teammates this season is, of course, to win the Champions League. In mid-February, the French champion's rivals will be Real Sociedad players.
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