It is not only the first team that is launching its European campaign this Wednesday in Bruges.
Under the leadership of Zoumana Camara, successor to Stéphane Roche, the PSG U19s will face Club Bruges, at 3 pm, for their entry into the Youth League, the equivalent of “the Youth Champions League”.
It will not be the first clash between the two clubs in this category since two years ago, they had already found themselves in the same pool.
Paris does not have good memories of it.
With players like Kouassi, Aouchiche, Kalimuendo and Pembélé, Ile-de-France hopes had fallen heavily on the first leg (0-2), as on the return (0-4).
Of course, the generations have changed since.
For this first European trip of the season, Camara has called 20 players, including Italian goalkeeper Denis Franchi, left at the disposal of the U19s.
Held for the first time with the pros on Saturday against Clermont (4-0), striker Sekou Yansané is also there, Ismaël Gharbi is injured.
Teddy Alloh, Nathan Bitumazala and El Chadaille Bitshiabu, all eligible for the Youth League, have remained with the first team and will therefore not be able to help their little comrades.
However, Camara, former assistant to Tuchel, can rely on several players who have made the summer preparation with Pochettino.
Moutanabi Bodiang, Nehemiah Fernandez, Xavi Simons, Edouard Michut and even Samuel Noireau-Dauriat, recovered from a foot injury, will all be on the meadow at the Nest in Roeselare, near Bruges.
A final in 2016 ... and the sinking two years ago
In this tournament where it is often difficult to gauge the exact potential of a team from the start of the season, PSG aims to go as far as possible.
But recent history has proven that no game should be taken lightly.
Thus, during the last edition stopped along the way, due to the health crisis, the Ile-de-France club had been taken out from the group stage despite a collective with undeniable qualities.
Result: 1 victory, 4 defeats and 15 goals conceded.
It must be said that that season, PSG had not been spoiled by inheriting the defending champion, Real Madrid.
However, nothing indicates that the draw is less strong this time, since like the pros, the U19 will have to get rid of Bruges, Leipzig and Manchester City to get out of the pools.
Since the creation of the Youth League in 2013, PSG has only reached the last four, in 2016. That year, he failed in the final against Chelsea (1-2) with elements like Nkunku , Ballo-Touré or Odsonne Edouard.
The team led by Zoumana Camara dreams of a similar journey.
She attacked the season with three league wins before conceding her first defeat on Saturday at Lens (1-2).
The match in Bruges gave him the opportunity to bounce back by immediately moving forward in this prestigious competition.
The probable composition
Franchi - Bodiang (cap.), Fernandez-Veliz, El Hannach, Wa Mungu - Z. Emery, Michut, Simons - Gassama, Yansané, Noireau-Dauriat.
