August 5 – Paris-Saint Germain retained the French Super Cup and Borussia Dortmund surprised Bayern Munich 2-0 in the German equivalent as both France and Germany gear up for next week’s big league kick offs.
Angel Di Maria turned match winner for the Parisians with a spectacular free-kick to defeat Rennes 2-1 after falling a goal behind in Shenzhen, China, the venue for the French Super Cup. French star Kylian Mbappe equalised for PSG before the Argentinean number eleven came off the bench to get a winner.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have eclipsed Olympique Lyon, who won the season’s curtain raiser six times between 2002 and 2007. The Parisians however have endured a turbulent summer as Brazil star Neymar has repeatedly been linked with a return to FC Barcelona.
Neymar watched his team triumph from the stands at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre stadium. Next Sunday PSG get their new Ligue 1 season under way against Nimes.
In Germany Borussia Dortmund defeated the reigning champions Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Super Cup, the German equivalent of the Community Shield or the Trophée des Champions.
Youngsters Paco Alcacer and Jadon Sancho scored the goals to put down a marker for the new season and underwrite Dortmund’s ambitions to wrestle the title away from Bayern Munich.
The club from North Rhine – Westphalia have invested heavily in summer signings to bolster their squad ahead of the new season. Thorgan Hazard (€25.5 million) and Julian Brandt (€25 million) were among the marquee acquisitions in an off-season splash of €127 million.
On Friday Bayern kick off the new Bundesliga season at home against Hertha Berlin. Dortmund host Augsburg the following afternoon.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1730810002labto1730810002ofdlr1730810002owedi1730810002sni@t1730810002catno1730810002c1730810002