Ligue 1 2012-13 Published at
Time to go on the attack!
One win, three draws... PSG finished pre-season undefeated and, more importantly, matched the likes of Chelsea and Barça. That counts, on the eve of the 2012-13 campaign...
Last Sunday, just moments after the finals whistle in the 2-2 draw with Barcelona, PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti told PSG TV: "The pre-season preparation went very well. We didn't pick up any injuries, all the players worked well, with the right attitude and I think we'll be ready for the start of the season." The Italian boss is backed up by the numbers...
Just two days after the start of pre-season training, Paris Saint-Germain jetted out to Stegersbach, in South-East Austria. It was the chance to lay the physical foundations for the long season to come, but also to get back into the rhythm of competition.
After a gentle opener against local third division opposition Stegersbach (9-0), Paris got a taste of what's in store for them in Europe this season against Russian giants CSKA Moscow.
Leading 2-0 with an hour played, the capital club conceded two late goals in driving rain at the Hartberg Stadion (2-2). No doubt the late collapse was due to the heavy work load of the preceding days in camp.
On the French National Day, 14 July, PSG will remember the promising debut of new signing Ezequiel Lavezzi in a Parisian shirt, as well as the electric passages of play that tore CSKA apart.
Still working their way into the new campaign, Les Rouge et Bleu headed to New York on 18 July. A second ten-day training camp, designed this time, to start the fine-tuning process for the start of the season proper...
Two huge tests
What better way to mark your ambitions than taking on the best of the best. New signing Marco Verratti and the rest of the squad got the chance to measure themselves against recently crowned European champions Chelsea on 22 July in the mythical Yankee Stadium - hosting a football match for the first time ever.
In the heart of the Bronx, Les Rouge et Bleu, led by an irrepressible Pastore, once again showed they looked right at home against the EPL giants, with only Pizaon's late strike (82') sparing Chelsea's blushes after Nene opened the scoring (30').
Things were looking up and they only got better when another new signing, a certain Zlatan Ibrahimović joined up with his new teammates in Princeton…
Ibra, the Goal Machine
The giant Sweden striker and Co were back in action just a few miles from the White House when they brought the curtain down on their North American tour with a match against MLS outfit DC United at RFK Stadium, Washington.
All eyes were quickly focused on Ibra, sporting the No.18 shirt - but not quickly enough for the United defence who were beaten by a flash of Zlatan brilliance, barely two minutes into the game! The locals equalised on the half hour (1-1), and PSG returned to France with their unbeaten pre-season campaign intact.
Once back at the club's Camp des Loges training complex, Les Parisiens turned attentions to their next big challenge: FC Barcelona - the reward, if there was to be one, for five weeks of hard work and toil. It was also a first outing at the Parc de Princes of the season, against arguable the best side in the world. 46,132 fans turned out to support their team in a tight and spectacular affair.
Trailing by two goals, Paris Saint-Germain were handed a life line back into the game by Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the hour mark. He was replaced moments later to an incredible ovation. A second goal in as many appearances as Zlatan maintained his proud Parisian record and was taken into the hearts of the capital club faithful.
Camara equalised in the final moments, before the Blaugrana finally lifted the Trophée de Paris 4-1 on penalties after the game ended 2-2.
PSG may have missed out on a first title of the season, but they have clearly already achieved a lot. First of all: Paris would appear to be ready for the start of the season, as they have built slowly but surely with each pre-season outing, especially physically.
Secondly: Paris Saint-Germain also seems capable of matching Europe's biggest in the Champions League in the coming weeks and months...
Paris will enjoy a 12th man at the Parc this season...
Finally, and above all, just seven days before the baptism of fire at home to Lorient in the opening week of Ligue 1 action, PSG gained hugely in confidence, in front of their fans, against Barcelona.
And that all bodes well for the 2012-13 campaign...
