More than two months after winning the second UEFA Champions League title in the club's history, Paris Saint-Germain returned to action to begin their preparation for a new season. Their first pre-season friendly took place at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix in Spain, where the Rouge et Bleu faced RCD Mallorca, who finished 18th in La Liga last season and were relegated to the second division. Although it was only PSG's first outing of the summer, it took just a few minutes for them to produce their first flowing team move, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia applying the finishing touch, only to be denied by Arnau Tenas (3').
Mallorca's response did not take long to come. Angola international Zito Luvumbo beat his man down the right wing and crossed for captain Pablo Torre, who failed to hit the target (11'). Ibrahim Mbaye tried his luck, who was picked out on the right and unleashed a powerful shot that crashed against the crossbar (20'). But moments later, Luvumbo turned scorer himself, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper from close range to give the home side the lead (1-0, 21'). Although Senny Mayulu responded almost immediately by forcing another save from Arnau Tenas (23'), it was Mallorca who struck again before half-time. Jan Virgili finished off a well-worked move after being set up by Sergi Darder, doubling the hosts' advantage just before the break (2-0, 40').
After the break, the Spanish side continued their ruthless approach in front of PSG's goal. Antonio Raíllo extended Mallorca's lead by heading home from an Álex Sala corner (3-0, 50'). Looking the sharper of the two teams, Los Bermellones even had a chance to add a fourth, but Lucas Chevalier came out on top in a one-on-one (55'). Still working their way back to full fitness, Luis Enrique's men understandably struggled to trouble opponents who were much further along in their pre-season preparations. Around the hour mark, the PSG coach responded by making a host of substitutions to inject fresh legs into the side.
Several academy graduates, including many who won the Coupe Gambardella last season, made their first-team debuts. Only Lucas Beraldo, Illia Zabarnyi, and Axel Koukaba played the full 90 minutes, but they were unable to help Paris reduce the deficit. At the end of this first outing of the summer, the Rouge et Bleu were beaten in Spain. The club from the capital will now have a few more days to prepare for their second pre-season fixture, against Manchester United in Sweden on Saturday (17:00), as they continue their summer preparations.
