The defending champions from France and Portugal will go head to head in the International Champions Cup as they continue their preparations for the new season. For Benfica this will be their opening pre-season game after a successful campaign which saw them winning the Primeira Liga as well as the Taça da Liga.
PSG on the other hand began their pre-season with a 3-0 win over Wiener SK with Augustin grabbing a brace and Aurier getting on the score sheet as well. PSG have been linked with a host of players as they aim to further strengthen their squad. One of the players hotly linked with a move to the club is Argentinean star Angel Di Maria with manager Laurent Blanc confirming the club's interest in the Manchester United star.
When asked him he likes Di Maria, Laurent Blanc stated: “Yes. We have our priorities."
“But to strengthen such a team you must target guys who are at big clubs and who are not easy to prise away. That’s hardest for PSG.
“Di Maria, he’s good.
“We have more freedom, but it remains a difficult project for us because we’re not alone in wanting him.
“When you see the financial power of the English clubs, they are attacking everyone. Competition is very, very tough.
“Don’t forget, Manchester United paid a fortune to sign him.
“For us to work effectively, we have to think of other solutions. We must be proactive.”
Another Argentine Javier Pastore who was rumored to be edging closer to Juventus has distanced himself from the Turin club claiming that he is happy in Paris.
"Juventus are a great team with great players but I don’t know if I’m the right player,” the ex-Palermo star told Goal.
“Today I’m very happy in Paris. I’ve been playing well and I always play, which is a very important thing for me.”
The former Palermo star however did claim that he misses the Serie A and refused to rule out a move to Italy in the future.
"Yes I miss it a little bit,” he stated. “I miss the people and I spent two fantastic years in Palermo.
“The Italian league is very tactical. It’s a beautiful league and made me really happy.
“I don’t know [if I will return to Serie A in the future], a lot of things can happen in football and you never know.
“But, I’m doing very well in France. I’m very calm and have adapted well.”
Last time the two sides met resulted in a 2-1 victory for Benfica in the Group Stages of the Champions League back in 2013. Lima and Gaitan got on the score sheet, however the victory was not enough to guarantee the Portuguese side progression to the Round of 16 and they were thus demoted to the Europa League.
Benfica vs PSG team sheets
Benfica's First XI: Julio Cesar, Luisao, Samaris, Gaitan, Lima, Jonas, Eliseu, Pizzi, Silvio, Talisca, Jardel
PSG's First XI: Kevin Trapp, Moura, Bahebeck, Maxwell, Serge Aurier, Lucas Digne, Rabiot, Augustin, Sabaly, Nkunku, Kimpembe
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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