Conclusive first test for Paris
Paris Saint-Germain won 1-0 against Sainte-Geneviève Sports at the Ooredoo Centre on Wednesday in a successful first pre-season run-out.
For a first game of 2018/19, Thomas Tuchel put out an unfamiliar starting line-up for a game of two 40-minute halves in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Against Sainte-Geneviève, third in Group C of the National 2 division last season, the German coach included professional players and youngsters from the Paris Saint-Germain Youth Academy.
Paris had a number of chances from the start of the game, but Rimane (4'), Weah (7') and Nkunku (14') all fired over Velandia's goal. The SGS reacted through Betourne, whose acrobatic volley flew just over Deschamps' goal (17'). Paris quickly regained the initiative and Diarra freed Weah in the penalty area, but the USA international's effort was blocked (18'). Immediately after, Weah sent a header wide (23') while Velandia pushed shots from Diarra (28') and Postolachi (31'), and Nkunku was unable to hit the target (29', 37').
After the restart, the Rouge et Bleu again laid siege to their opponents' goal. Rabiot fired narrowly wide (46') as did Mbe Son (47') while Velandia thwarted Nkunku (56') and Weah (62'). Paris eventually broke the deadlock soon after. Nkunku found space in the penalty area before sending a low shot into the net (1-0, 62e). The team's next outing: against Chambly on Sunday 15 July at 11:00CEST at the Ooredoo Training Centre.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN - SAINTE-GENEVIEVE SPORTS: 1-0 (0-0)
Friendly
Ooredoo Training Centre (Saint-Germain-en-Laye)
Goal: Nkunku (62').
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: Descamps (Cibois, 46') - Mbe Soh, Rimane, Nsoki - Diarra (c) (Georgen, 60'), Rabiot - Weah (Sissako, 75'), Toufiqui, Nkunku, Dagba (Zagre, 46') - Postolachi (Fressange, 46').