06 August 2021, 15:10 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Ligue 1 fixture, ES Troyes AC vs. Paris Saint-Germain F.C. kicks off at 20:00 (GMT+1) on Saturday, the 7th of August at the Stade de l'Aube.
Preview Troyes Ligue 1, Aug 7, 2021
Preview After a three-year absence, Ligue 2 champions, ES Troyes AC made their return to Ligue 1 after finishing at the top of the lower league table with 77 points. They would be looking to get their season off to a flying start on Match Day 1 with a win or draw on home soil this Saturday. In preparation for the new season, they faced Clermont Foot 63 in a club friendly on the 3rd of July but lost, 2-1. In other pre-season games, they lost to Angers, 3-0, and Metz, 2-1 but picked up draws against Nimes, 2-2 and Bordeaux, 1-1. Troyes defeated Dijon, 2-1 in another pre-season fixture on the 17th of July. On the 2nd of August, ESTAC announced the arrival of 26-year-old left-back, Youssouf Kone who joined the club from Olympique Lyonnais on a season-long loan without the option to buy. The Malian remains a contender for the starting role and could be making his Ligue 1 debut for the club against PSG. Coach Laurent Batlles is expected to adopt a 3—5—2 formation with the attacking duo: centre-forward, Yoann Touzghar and attacking midfielder, Dylan Chambost playing ahead of the midfield quintet. The 34-year-old Tunisian centre-forward, Touzghar was the third-highest goalscorer in Ligue 2 last season after bagging 16 goals for Troyes.
Preview Paris Saint Germain Ligue 1, Aug 7, 2021
Preview Earlier in July, Mauricio Pochettino saw his contract extended until June 2023 despite PSG's failure to secure the 2020/21 Ligue 1 title. The Red and Blues finished in 2nd place with 82 points, - a point behind Ligue 1 champions, Lille. Last Sunday, they lost another prized trophy, - the Trophée des Champions to Lille after a 1-0 defeat. A fabulous right-footed shot from the edge of the box at the stroke of half-time from Lille's Xeka (45') separated both sides at full-time. It was the first defeat in a competitive game for PSG ever since the 2-0 FA Cup final victory over Monaco in May. During the pre-season tour, PSG defeated Le Mans, 4-0, Augsburg, 2-1, and US Orleans, 1-0 but picked up a draw against Sevilla 2-2. Another pre-season fixture against Chambly ended 2-2. Mauricio Pochettino's task for the season would be to wrestle the Ligue 1 title off Lille and perhaps secure the UEFA Champions League title for the club. To do so, they secured the signing of free agent, ex-Milan goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma and 35-year-old Sergio Ramos whose contract ran out after 16-years with Los Blancos. As a statement of intent, PSG also secured the signing of Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan for €60M while 18-year-old teenage sensation, Xavi Simons was promoted to the senior team. Georginio Wijnaldum had already put pen to paper for the nine-time Ligue 1 title champions earlier in July on a free transfer. A 4—3—3 formation is expected from Mauricio Pochettino with trio: Neymar, Di Maria and Mauro Icardi leading the onslaught against Troyes on Saturday.