Paris Saint-Germain players Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are training in Salzburg ahead of the UEFA Super Cup [1].
The match serves as the opening European trophy contest of the season. A strong performance against Aston Villa would set the tone for the club's continental ambitions and test the readiness of its key attacking assets.
The squad is currently based in the Salzburg area of Austria, which serves as the venue for the upcoming final [2]. Training sessions have focused on integrating the starting lineup and ensuring fitness levels are peaked for the high-stakes encounter [1].
Preparation for the event faced early disruptions. Training sessions were postponed until July 27, 2024 [3], before the team resumed their full schedule to prepare for the match on Aug. 12, 2024 [1].
Luis Enrique has been overseeing the sessions, focusing on the tactical disposition of the team. The inclusion of Kvaratskhelia alongside Dembélé and Hakimi suggests a heavy emphasis on wing play and rapid transitions, a hallmark of the current PSG tactical approach [1].
The team is working to finalize a lineup that balances experienced starters with necessary backups to manage the physical demands of the pre-season transition [4]. With the match date set for Aug. 12, 2024 [1], the technical staff is prioritizing the recovery and conditioning of the primary squad members to avoid early-season injuries.
“The match serves as the opening European trophy contest of the season.”
The UEFA Super Cup acts as a critical barometer for Paris Saint-Germain's tactical evolution under Luis Enrique. By fielding a high-profile attacking trio of Dembélé, Hakimi, and Kvaratskhelia, PSG is signaling an aggressive intent to dominate European competition. The timing of the match, coming immediately after a postponed training start, puts a premium on the players' physical conditioning and the staff's ability to reach peak performance quickly.
