(PSG’s Jean-Kevin Augustin celebrates his first of two goals – Photo by Mike Lawrence)
French side Paris Saint-Germain, known mainly as PSG, beat Fiorentina of Italy 4-2 in their International Champions Cup match on Tuesday night at Red Bull Arena.
PSG got the scoring started in the 35th minute. Gregory Van Der Wiel came down the right side of the field, then fired a pass by four Fiorentina defenders to Blaise Matuidi coming down the center of the crease and he drilled it to give them a 1-0 lead.
It didn’t take long for the second one, as Jean-Kevin Augustin scored off a feed from Matuidi to make it 2-0 in the 41st minute. Augustin got another one in the 75th minute.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is PSG’s biggest star, as evidenced by his #10 jersey all over the crowd of 16,104 in attendance. Ibrahimovic made his fans’ night in the 69th minute when he scored off a pass from Lucas Moura, who was coming down the left side and got it to him coming down the middle of the crease. As it turned out, Ibrahomovic was set to be pulled from the game, so that was his last act in the game.
Fiorentina’s goals came from Joaquin Sanchez in the 60th minute and Giuseppe Rossi on a penalty kick in the 79th minute.
PSG Head Coach Laurent Blanc said of the game, “I thought very well of the match, it was a physical game, but we were at ease. We scored goals. We won the game in difficult conditions with the heat and humidity, but most important for the players was that there were no injuries. We will prepare for tomorrow and continue going forward with strength.”
Blanc said of Ibrahimovic’s goal just before he left the game, “I couldn’t have known that it was his last efforts. We foresaw a change just before, with Gregory (Van Der Wiel) and (Blaise) Matuidi. I think it was ideal for Zlatan, I think it was his fourth or third goal (of the International Champions Cup).”
Blanc said of Red Bull Arena, “The facilities are world-class, very beautiful. The field is gorgeous. The arena is just a wonderful place in general. We’re excited to prepare for the rest of the competition.”
