UEFA Europa League Preview: Paris Saint-Germain Vs Red Bull Salzburg
Cash-laden French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain play their first European game under the new ownership of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Qatar-c2986 Investment Authority as they host Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg in Group F’s opening game of the UEFA Europa League.
Time to prove
After spending nearly 85 million Euros on new recruits, PSG are definitely one of the strongest teams in the competition on paper. In a group that contains the likes of Salzburg, Slovan Bratislava and Athletic Bilbao, Kombouare’s side should be able to navigate
safely to the next round of the competition.
After spending so much money this summer, the owners are expecting the club to win some silverware. Though the owners have targeted Champions League qualification by the end of this campaign as the main theme of the season, it seems that owners would love
to see the players bring a few trophies as well.
Many believe that the Parisian side has a lot of potential and talent and should be able to dominate Ligue 1. In Europe, it might be hard as the new players still need some time to adapt to the new conditions.
Depending on El Flaco
PSG paid US Palermo 42 million euros for the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Javier-Pastore-c18082 and the young Argentine has proven to be a great asset for Antoine Kombouare. The influential playmaker arrived later than the rest of his colleagues but has adapted well to the new
conditions.
In the Europa League playoff against Differdange, the youngster provided two assists. Incidentally, the game was his debut and Pastore would be looking to repeat his performances once again when PSG host Salzburg.
Rich boys from Austria
Almost five years ago, energy drinks giants Red Bull took control of affairs at Salzburg and poured a lot of money that revitalised the Austrian club. Italian legend http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Giovanni-c14985 Trapattoni was made the manager as Die Bullen won their first Austrian Bundesliga
title in over a decade. Two more titles followed as the Salzburg-based club made themselves one of the strongest teams in Austria.
A lavish spending was enough for Die Bullen to make them strong in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Austria-c2844 but the league does not have the same drawing power as the French league has which means that the PSG project is definitely bigger than the Salzburg project.
However, Salzburg coach http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ricardo-c30950 Moniz is not worried about what PSG have to offer and has said that he is not over awed by the strength of the Parisian side. “There’s definitely a difference to preparing for a match against them than versus Baumgarten or
Matterburg,” said the 46-year-old.
Team News
PSG
Striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Momo-c26769 Sissoko is still recovering from a knee injury and the Malian international will have to wait to make his debut for Les Rogues et Bleu. Clement Chantome is also a major
doubt for tonight’s encounter.
Red Bull Salzburg
Die Bullen are still without the services of star striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Petri-Pasanen-c29858 is suspended for this game.
Predictions
Though PSG are favourites to top their group but one cannot expect Les Parisiens to storm their way past the group stages. Against Salzburg, PSG will have their work cut out even though the Austrian side is missing several players through injury.
Predicted final score: PSG 1-0 Salzburg
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