The day after the game in Tokyo
The day after the first game of their tour of Japan, which ended in a 2-1 win over Kawasaki Frontale in front of a crowd of 70,000 people, Christophe Galtier's men took part in a series of activities designed to teach them about their host country before their return to the training pitch in the evening.
This morning, Les Parisiens started by stepping onto the tatami mat with Teddy Riner, Paris Saint-Germain Judo's all-conquering champion, and Djamel Bouras, the president of the club's judo section. Alongside them were Japan's very best judokas, Shohei Ono and Tadahiro Nomura. As a way of warming down, the players were given a judo demonstration by the greatest names in the discipline, making for a shared moment between athletes from both sports and the chance for a family photo, which carried on into a visit of the Kodokan, Japan's judo hotspot, for Kylian Mbappe, Presnel Kimpembe and captain Marquinhos.
A meet-up with fans and freestylers in a Tokyo park, a sushi tasting session and a visit to both the Hie Shrine and Shibuya's famous amusement arcades preceded the training session at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium for Neymar Jr, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Danilo Pereira and Pablo Sarabia.
The Paris Saint-Germain players had no time to enjoy the city, though, as the day's session started amid some light rain, which helped bring the temperature back down to below the 30°C mark.
Les Rouge et Bleu then performed a series of group exercises with the ball after a lengthy warm-up, which was carried out under the supervision of the team's physios as well as the watchful eye of the coach. Day by day, Marquinhos and co. are gathering momentum, with ten days to go until the Trophée des Champions. The team will play two further matches on the Japan Tour, firstly this Saturday against Urawa Red Diamonds in Saitama, then next Monday in Japan's second-largest city against local side Gamba Osaka.
Photos: J. Scussel/PSG, C. Gavelle/PSG and @RyosukeKosuge