The exhibition match will mark Luis Enrique’s inauguration as PSG’s new head coach before the capital giants embark on a tour of Japan and South Korea in the coming weeks.
Perhaps inevitably, Christophe Galtier is the latest victim of PSG’s ruthless board earlier this summer, as the former Lille and Nice coach prolonged the Parisians’ domestic dominance yet suffered the same fate as many of his predecessors. .
Unable to shake off the Champions League last-16 curse that has dogged PSG for many years, Galtier, who has also been at the centre of a storm of racism over alleged comments made about black and Muslim players during his years at Nice, which he denies. – left under relatively calm circumstances, allowing veteran silversmith Luis Enrique to take the poisoned chalice.
After scoring a hat-trick for Barcelona before two unspectacular spells in the Spanish dugout, Enrique earns the respect of PSG players, who finished just one point ahead of Lens at the top of the Ligue 1 table as the walls of the Parc des Princes’ Fortress crumbled.
A 1-1 draw in Strasbourg on the penultimate weekend allowed Galtier to achieve the bare minimum of Ligue 1 glory, but the season ended on another sour note for the Parisians as they were beaten 3-2 at home by Lionel Clermont.
Messi’s departure to Inter Miami means the Argentine will not enjoy another reunion with old foe Cristiano Ronaldo when PSG take on Al-Nassr in Japan on July 25, while Cerezo Osaka (July 28), Inter Milan (Aug. 1) and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (Aug. 3) will also be keeping an eye on the French champions’ Asian permanence.
Also adding a French league name to their meager record in the 2022-23 season, Le Havre’s 15-year absence from Ligue 1 will end next month as Luka Elsner’s side won in a fierce battle for promotion to third place in the second division.
With 75 problems out of 114 on offer, Le Havre defended the threat of Metz with three problems to return to the most sensible of the Ligue 2 champions, after taking the lead in the standings on matchday 14 and refusing to give up their classification. . in the remainder of the season.
Regulars on the more sensible flight of the 1980s and 1990s, Le Havre’s last elite campaign in 2008-09 was a depressing affair as Les Ciel et Marine finished in 20th position with 20 problems in their call to drop straight back to Ligue 2, but the recruitment committee has already taken steps to prevent a similar fate from happening to them this time around.
Elsner’s men opened their pre-season account with a stunning 9-2 thrashing of Triglav (coach’s hometown Slovenian minnows) when they travelled to Caen on Wednesday night and finished with a convincing 3-1 win.
Just two days later, Le Havre will face PSG for the first time since their failed 2008-09 season, which included two 3-1 and 3-0 defeats to the Parisians, who failed to suffer a competitive defeat in La Liga. since 1999.
Drawing once again on their enviable reserves of money, PSG welcomed Xavi Simons, Manuel Ugarte, Marco Asensio, Lee Kang-in, Cher Ndour, Milan Skriniar and Lucas Hernandez to the Parc des Princes this summer, with the latter retaining after recovering from the devastating ACL injury he suffered at the World Cup.
Neymar is expected to take part in some educational sessions this week as he recovers from his serious ankle problem, but Friday’s match may come too soon for the Brazilian, while Nordi Mukiele, Presnel Kimpembe and Nuno Mendes are on the defensive injured list.
With Sergio Ramos and El Chadaille Bitshiabu also packing their bags this summer, Skriniar is likely to make his defensive debut here, while Mbappe trains amid relentless speculation about his future.
Prior to being put through their paces on Tuesday, PSG paid tribute to goalkeeper Sergio Rico, who is slowly but surely recovering from a serious horse riding accident, which left him in a coma with severe head injuries.
Meanwhile, Le Havre, unsurprisingly, have bolstered their defensive line ahead of a potential fight for survival, bringing in former Troyes defender Yoann Salmier and Hungarian foreign right-back Loic Nego.
21-year-old midfielder Rassoul Ndiaye has been the visitors’ signature (it costs €1. 5m (£1. 3m) to steal from Sochaux), while striker Issa Soumaré also arrived after scoring six goals and six assists for Quevilly Rouen last season, and scored Le Havre’s third goal in their midweek win over Caen.
Possible Paris Saint-Germain XI 😀 onnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Bernat; Verratti, Ugarte, Ruiz; Asensio, Ekitike, Mbappé
Possible XI for Le Havre: Desmas; Salmier, Sangante, Lloris; Négo, Confais, Mbemba, Operi; Soumaré, Joujou, Alioui
While Le Havre will feel the effects of Wednesday’s meeting with Caen, PSG’s new signings are expected to mark a milestone in their educational base and give the Ligue 2 champions a taste of what awaits them.
The revamped Parisians will inevitably need some time to adjust to Enrique’s methods, but there will be only one winner in Friday’s war of champions. For information on the most likely results, scores and more for this match, click here.