Preview: Laurent Blanc looking to start title defence with a win against Jean Fernandez’s side
After a 2-1 win over Girondins de Bordeaux in Libreville, Gabon, in the Trophee des Champions, reigning French champions Paris Saint-Germain have made a 5,000 km journey back to the capital of France ahead of the start of the 2013/2014 campaign. Laurent Blanc’s men gave a good account of their credentials against Les Girindons in West Africa and the triumph represented a winning start to Blanc’s reign as the capital club’s manager.
"We came here with the objective before the game to win the match. From that point of view, you can say we reached our objective because we won the Trophee des Champions," explained Blanc just minutes after the final whistle on Saturday. "The players went forward, believing they could get that winning goal and they did just that, so bravo to them."
The team returned to Clairefontaine on Monday and a little while later, Salvatore Sirigu and summer signing Edinson Cavani caught up with the rest of the team outside France national side’s famous home, Chateau. With just a few days left to the start of their title defence, PSG players have been worked rigorously by Blanc who is no stranger to Championnat campaigns following his time as the coach of Bordeaux whom he led to the Championelle just a few years back.
PSG’s campaign kicks off with a match against Montpellier Herault who won their first Ligue 1 title back in the 2011/2012 season under the guidance of Rene Girard. However, a new man is at the helm now in the shape of Jean Fernandez, one of the most respected managers in France. The 58-year-old is one of the most experienced managers in French football after spells with Olympique de Marseille, OGC Nice, AJ Auxerre and Nancy Lorraine who he helped avoid relegation last season.
Montpellier had a poor campaign last time out as their title defence more or less finished as soon as the campaign started. However, with a new man in charge, La Paillade would be looking to cause an upset by tipping the cash-laden cup for the title.
Following the departure of star player Younes Belhanda to Dynamo Kiev, a lot of pressure is on young Remy Cabella. The France Under 21 international is one of the most exciting talents in French football and has a really good future ahead of him. A lot of attention will also be on Cote d’Ivoire international Siaka Tiene who spent three years at Parc des Princes and only just joined Montpellier.
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels
In USA on beIN Sport at 14:30 ET
Fans in the Middle East can watch this exciting match live on Al Jazeera Sport +3 and Al Jazeera Sport +6, whereas fans in South East Asian countries will have Ten Action telecasting the match live.
Probable Starting eleven
Montpellier
Jeoffrey Jourdren, Daniel Congre, El Kaoutari, Hilton, Herni Bedimo, Benjamin Stambouli, Dabo, Camara, Jamel Saihi, Remy Cabella, Gaetan Charbonnier.
Paris Saint-Germain
Salvatore Sirigu, Alex, Thiago Silva, Maxwell, Christophe Jallet, Blaise Matuidi, Marco Verratti, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani, Lucas Moura, Jeremy Menez.
