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Mauricio Pochettino won a title for the first time in his fourth coaching position
Photo:
Christophe Ena / AP
Paris Saint-Germain remains the measure of all things in French football in the Trophée des Champions.
In Lens, the series champion won the game for the French Supercup 2-1 (1-0) against Olympique Marseille.
Mauro Icardi took the lead for the club from the capital (39th minute), Neymar scored with a penalty kick (85th) Dimitri Payet shortened for Marseille (89th).
Paris achieved the eighth Supercup victory in a row.
For coach Maurucio Pochettino, the success was a special one: It was not only his first title as a PSG coach, but the first ever as a coach.
In his previous positions at Espanyol Barcelona in Spain and Southampton and Tottenham in England he did an excellent job, he even led the Spurs sensationally into the final of the Champions League in 2019 (0-2 against Liverpool).
But he was denied a trophy.
In the third game under Pochettino, who had taken over from Thomas Tuchel at the beginning of the year, there was not much to be seen of the Argentine's handwriting.
Marseille pressed early and stood safely behind.
Paris found it difficult to create opportunities.
And if so, Icardi was usually involved.
With his head he just missed the goal in the six-yard space (18th).
Four minutes later, the Argentine hit from short distance, but strike partner Kylian Mbappé had been sidelined when playing before.
Just like in the 30th minute, when the Frenchman was again a tad too far ahead with his goal.
Shortly before the break, Icardi then scored a regular goal: After a long ball from midfield by Ángel di María, the Argentine headed goalkeeper Steve Mandanda before he put the margin in the empty goal.
Marseille determined the game after the break
It was Icardi's second goal in his second game under Pochettino.
In stoppage time of the first half, the striker, who was involved in almost every offensive action of his team, almost scored his second goal, but only hit the crossbar after a counterattack from 14 meters.
After the break, Marseille also created scoring opportunities.
But first, eleven meters in front of goal, Nemanja Radonjić thought too long how he should use the ball (48th), then Florian Thauvin failed from a tight angle to goalkeeper Keylor Navas (53rd).
Marseille were closer to equalizing than Paris to a second goal without any clear chances.
Until the 82nd minute when Mandanda fouled Icardi in the penalty area.
Substitute Neymar turned safely.
Payet managed to hit the connection after a nice combination on the right side.
However, Marseille did not achieve more than a harmless conclusion by Hiroki Sakai - and so Pochettino was able to lift a trophy for the first time in his coaching career.
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