Traveling to Saudi Arabia for its mini-tour in the Gulf, PSG provided the show against a Saudi selection “All-Stars” (5-3).
The contract is fulfilled. That the real sporting interest of a mini-tour in the Gulf has been singled out is one thing, the PSG had very precise specifications to respect. And in this sense, this parenthesis on the Arabian Peninsula is successful.
Beyond its economic consequences, it offered a spectacle likely to conquer fans in this area of the world, while awakening some glorious memories for the most nostalgic purists with the reunion between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for this match between Riyadh Season – a Saudi “All-Stars” selection – and the champions of France.
The compositions: the MNM and Ronaldo at the start
Dream Season : Al Owais – Soo, Al Ghannam, Al Bulayhi, Abdulhamid – Gustavo, Kanno, Matheus – Carrillo, Marega, Ronaldo (c).
Paris SG : Navas – Hakimi, Marquinhos (c), Ramos, Bernat – Soler, Renato Sanches, Ruiz – Neymar – Messi, Mbappé.
The game: the stars shine, the defense falters
Overall, Christophe Galtier’s team has held its rank on the offensive level. Lined up together, Messi, Neymar and Mbappé graced the audience with some classy moves.
The Argentine world champion also opened the scoring in the 3rd minute of play on a serve from his Brazilian friend (3rd). The Bondy prodigy, for his part, made an even more consistent copy with two assists – for Marquinhos (43rd) and Ramos (53rd) and a goal from a converted penalty (60th), unlike a too easy Neymar on his attempt at the start of the match.
Another positive point, the rotation made by Christophe Galtier, with a decisive entry – Hugo Ekitike scorer (78th) – the young titi Ilyes Houseni thrown into the bath, and the return of Nuno Mendes.
Nevertheless, the followers of PSG who wanted to reassure themselves on the defensive aspect were not really served. Although a scorer, Sergio Ramos was in great pain against this modest formation. The Spaniard is involved in two goals, contributing, somewhere, to shine a double-scorer Cristiano Ronaldo for his big first in his new adopted country.
For the rest, there will obviously be no major conclusions to be drawn from this isolated match, at the heart of the marathon which awaits the Parisians. Next up.