For the return of French football after the end-of-year holidays, it was not the Coupe de France that was there, but the Champions Trophy. A unique poster between the French champion, Paris Saint-Germain, and the last winner of the Coupe de France, Toulouse. A meeting rescheduled for early 2024 due to the problems encountered by the LFP with a Thai promoter who caused a stir even before its kick-off since it was held… at the Parc des Princes and not on neutral ground. A certain advantage for the Parisians who lined up the big armada to hope to lift this trophy for the twelfth time in their history.
Opposite, the TFC appeared as an outsider in a stadium entirely committed to the cause of the Rouge et Bleu, but this year, the Pitchounes, despite their poor season in L1, proved that they knew how to beat big guns. Liverpool can attest to this. Unfortunately for them, this difficult mission quickly became impossible. From the 3rd minute, after an excellent service from Vitinha, Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ© crossed with first intention towards Kang-in Lee. Alone in the middle of the Toulouse defense, the South Korean did not hesitate to give PSG the advantage with an effective flat foot (1-0, 3rd). Ultra dominant, the Ile-de-France residents monopolized the leather (they had 86% possession during the first 15 minutes) and laid siege to Guillaume Restes’ cages. DembĂ©lĂ© and MbappĂ© were very sharp, but the Toulouse team could still have created a surprise if Suazo had not missed his acrobatic recovery on a caviar from Aron Dønnum (18th). A sensation confirmed by Thijs Dallinga whose shot was masterfully pushed back onto his post by Gianluigi Donnarumma (37th).
Toulouse may have regrets
Paris dominated, accumulating chances (30th, 31st, 32nd, 35th), but remained clearly capable of being surprised by the TFC. This was without counting on MbappĂ©’s profitable slalom to score the break goal just before half-time (2-0, 44th). A hard blow for the Pitchounes, who did not give up after returning from the locker room. Without a very great Donnarumma, Cristian Casseres (48th, 90th), Thijs Dallinga (49th, 90th) and Vincent Sierro (64th) could have reduced the score, or even equalized. Toulouse had reason to have great regrets as the Parisian defense, and especially Milan Skriniar, was far from being imperial. On the Parisian side, as is often the case, the difference could once again have been made through individual brilliance, but the Restes post repelled a nice free kick from Achraf Hakimi (56th).
Twenty minutes from time, the Park then made its voice heard. While Skriniar asked for change after a contract with Sierra, the Parisian public gave Lucas Beraldo a real ovation. Arriving this winter from SĂŁo Paulo, the Brazilian had to replace the Slovak at short notice, without being able to warm up. Acclaimed by the Paris region, the new PSG defender must have appreciated it. Faced with a TFC that was too messy to hope for a comeback, the French champions were able to play quietly until the end of the match. 2-0, Paris is off to a good start in 2024 by securing the twelfth Champions Trophy in its history, a new record, before going to challenge Revel in the Coupe de France in four days.
Relive the film of the PSG-Toulouse match
