From Nkunku to Newcastle: the winners and losers as PSG’s Trophée des Champions monopoly continues

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The 23rd edition of the Trophee des Champions concluded this afternoon at the Shenzhen Stadium in China, with Paris Saint-Germain clinching the title for the eighth time.

Angel Di Maria’s sweetly struck free-kick put the Parisians ahead in the first half and a tap in from Christopher Nkunku put them 2-0 ahead at the break.

Goals from Timothy Weah and Angel Di Maria sealed PSG’s victory this afternoon in a dominant performance in Shenzhen.

Thomas Tuchel fielded a side balanced with youth and experience with Marco Veratti commanding the midfield, Gigli Buffon in goal and Thiago Silva leading the defence; while 19-year-old Colin Dagba started at right-back, 18-year-old Timothy Weah spearheaded the attack and 20-year-old Christopher Nkunku played on the left flank.

Here are the winners and losers from  PSG’s 4-0 thrashing in the Trophee des Champions.

Winners

The young ones

19-year-old Colin Dagba started today’s game ahead of Belgian Thomas Meunier who is still on holiday after his World Cup duties in Russia.

The 26-year-old Belgian international might be hoping that he returned early for this game, as Dagba played excellently.

The youngster was electric on PSG’s right flank, making several incisive runs and should have had a goal in the first half when he eased past fellow youngster Julien Serrano and darted into the penalty area, but was denied at close range.

Christopher Nkunku and Timothy Weah also had good turns in the side, grabbing a goal each after a dominant run  in pre-season.

Angel Di Maria

There have been rumours that Di Maria has been contemplating leaving the Parc Des Princes over the summer, as the Argentine is likely to be relegated to the bench when Edinson Cavani, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe return to the side.

However, Di Maria made a strong argument to feature more prominently in Thomas Tuchel’s plans this afternoon as he was imperious throughout this game, spearheading most of PSG’s attacks and finished a coolly taken free-kick to put the Parisians ahead in the first half.

The Argentina international also put the icing on the cake with a clinical finish in the dying moments of the game.

Potential winner: Newcastle United

Rafael Benitez has set his sights on PSG youngster Stanley N’Soki. A central defender by trade, the 20-year-old played at left-back against Monaco, a position that he more than excelled in today.

N’Soki bagged himself two assists in this game. The first came in the first half when his low cross provided Christopher Nkunku with a tap in from close range.

His second came in the middle of the second half when he casually took it past Andrea Raggi and sent an exquisite pass to Timothy Weah who struck it past Diego Benaglio for PSG’s third.

If Newcastle bag the 20-year-old then Paul Dummet will have his work cut out for him to remain a starter at St James’ Park, as N’Soki looks sensational.

Losers

Rony Lopes

Lopes didn’t bag his 18th goal for Monaco this afternoon, but he really should have done as he was given the perfect chance in the first half.

The 22-year-old was unable to add to the modest tally he achieved last season with Les Monégasques  when late in the first half the Brazilian attacking midfielder missed a sitter after a delicious cross from the right flank left him with the simple task of prodding the ball between the sticks from 6 yards out.

Julian Draxler

Draxler was touted as the best reserve in the world by commentators last season, as the German winger competes directly with Brazilian superstar Neymar for a place in PSG’s starting line-up.

Despite Draxler making 27 appearances last season and a prolonged run in the side following Neymar’s injury, reports have suggested that the Germany international has been left feeling frustrated and forgotten in Paris.

And there is a real risk that Draxler could fall even further down the pecking order if Christopher Nkunku’s performance this afternoon was not an anomaly.

The 20-year-old provided PSG fans with another demonstration of his frightening pace as he left Monaco’s players for dust at points this afternoon. He also managed to get his name on the score sheet in the first half with a well-taken tap in.

Ligue One’s reputation

PSG’s victory today means they have clinched the Trophee des Champions for the sixth consecutive time.

Ligue 1 boast good teams, but they are consistently overshadowed by PSG’s dominance that has also seen them win five of the last six League One titles.

Their victory today is also the seventh consecutive time they have rolled over Monaco, their closest rivals over the years in terms of league finishes.

This state of affairs is not good for PSG either, who are rarely challenged domestically, but frequently come up short in European competitions.

The post From Nkunku to Newcastle: the winners and losers as PSG’s Trophée des Champions monopoly continues appeared first on Squawka News.



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