Paris start 2024 with Trophée des Champions triumph!

At the start of a year that promises so much, it wasn't long before our Parisians got to underline their vociferous ambition and pocket a first trophy of the new season as Les Rouge et Bleu took on Toulouse in the Trophée des Champions. As fate would have it, the match arrived 28 years to the day after the very first edition was won by the club from the capital. To ensure his side rose to the occasion, coach Luis Enrique went with a typically competitive starting XI, led by an all-French attack of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola.

An excellent Toulouse side provided a good tactical opposition and there was no question of underestimating an opponent with a proven track record in Europe since the start of the season. Over the last six months, Les Rouge et Bleu have developed their trademark attacking approach, stifling counter-pressing, high intensity and a perfectly-oiled passing game – all of which was present at kick-off. And as the rain poured down in the French capital, it was long before the chances did too...

It was Lee Kang-In who transformed the first! The Korea Republic international was on the end of a superb piece of flowing football, starting on the left with Vitinha’s switch down the opposite flank to Ousmane Dembélé, his first-time cross set up Lee. A masterpiece (1-0, 3’)!

Confidence was sky high after a perfect start and Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, Lee and Achraf Hakimi were enjoying the occasion. The entire Parisian attack was turning on the style!

And with a trophy on the line, Paris couldn’t afford to take their foot off the accelerator. In fact, they pushed it harder to the ground and it was only a question of time before the unstoppable Kylian Mbappé added a second goal. Set up by Barcola, the World Cup winner bamboozled four opposition defenders before unleashing a sudden shot that rifled into the back of the net (2-0, 44’). A superb goal which, incidentally, makes the Rouge et Bleu No.7 the all-time leading scorer for Paris at the Parc des Princes. What a symbol!

Although Toulouse tried to fight-back in the second half, they got short change out of the Parisian defence, while at the other end, Hakimi’s free-kick was denied by the width of the post (55’). And then, as if on cue, the Parc des Princes was formally introduced to Lucas Beraldo (brought on to replace Skriniar) and his new home fans gave him a very warm welcome.

At the end of an entertaining match, Paris Saint-Germain collected their first trophy of the new year by winning the Trophée des Champions for the 12th time in their history - an all-time record in this competition. It was a success that sees Les Rouge et Bleu start the new year in the best possible way, a year that features the Coupe de France, the UEFA Champions League, and of course Ligue 1. So strap yourselves in, 2024 will be a year rich in emotions…