Asia Summer Tour 2018 re-cap

Pre-season continues

From Geylang Field in Singapore to Shenzhen Universiade Sports Center Stadium in China, the Parisians had little down-time during their summer tour. In hot and humid conditions, the Rouge-et-Bleu continued their build-up to the new season during sessions orchestrated by Thomas Tuchel and his staff.

The squad was initially largely made up of youth academy talents, but senior players gradually arrived to join up with them. Angel Di Maria, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Neymar Jr, all of whom represented their countries at the World Cup, and the France Under-19 internationals Yacine Adli and Moussa Diaby all jetted to Asia to start their pre-season for the 2018/19 campaign.

On the up and up on the pitch...

Though the young Parisians started the Asia Summer Tour with a tough first game against Arsenal at the Singapore National Stadium (1-5) in the International Champions Cup 2018, they quickly picked themselves up. In the same venue two days later, the Rouge-et-Bleu dug deep to pull out a fine win in added time against Atletico Madrid.

It was the ideal scenario ahead of their most important pre-season game: to finish, Monaco awaited in the Trophée des Champions. Thiago Silva and Co. made light of their opponents, however, producing a highly promising win in Shenzhen to claim their sixth successive Trophée des Champions.

…and off it!

Despite their busy schedule, the players also had some time to explore Singapore and Shenzhen. From Garden by the Bay to Boat Quay in Singapore, the players took part in activities organised by the club and its partners. It gave them a chance to get to know more about the city-state and taste the local cuisine, as well as the opportunity to meet local fans, who came in droves for selfies and autographs. It was the same story in Shenzhen where the Paris Saint-Germain Fan Clubs in Asia were present en masse at the team's hotel.

The Paris Saint-Germain spirit also flowed through artistic collaborations in the region. Graffiti artist Ceno2 produced a fresco in club colours on a wall in Singapore's Boat Quay. The 'The Voices Behind the Victories' exhibition put the club's fans centre stage in the local Alliance Française while artist Marc Ong presented a customised skateboard and pair of Nike shoes at the  Boutique Paris Saint-Germain at Dover Street Market. The Parisians also presented their new away shirt during the tour. The Paris Saint-Germain Academy, through several sessions, and Paris Saint-Germain eSports, represented by ManiiKa and DaXe, also had their time in the limelight. Despite touring the USA during their pre-season, the Women's team ended on an Asian note too, adding Chinese star Wang Shuang to their ranks.

Great atmosphere

It was clear to everyone: the start of the Thomas Tuchel era was marked by his great mood and that of his staff and players. The joy demonstrated after Virgiliu Postolachi's late winner against Atletico showed just how united the squad is. Another key moment of the tour was the coach's 'hazing' by his players. They rushed into his post-match press conference and demanded - as is the custom with any new arrival - he sing for them. He did, in front of an amused media.

That fantastic atmosphere between staff, senior players and Youth Academy starlets no doubt contributed to the winning of a record eighth Trophée des Champions, and promises much before the start of the new Ligue 1 campaign against Caen at the Parc des Princes on Sunday (kick-off 21:00CEST).