| The Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain can make history on Wednesday evening in Salzburg. The French side could become only the fourth team ever to defend their UEFA Super Cup title, following in the footsteps of Ajax, AC Milan, and Real Madrid. After their triumph against Tottenham last year, they face another English opponent in Europa League winners Aston Villa. The bookies favorize PSG, after all, under Luis Enrique, Paris has become the benchmark in European football and recently defeated Arsenal in the Champions League final. However, the path to their next title is unlikely to be so straightforward as six of the last eight European Super Cup went to extra time or penalties. Luis Enrique is aiming for his 13th title since taking over in Paris. The statistics also support the French favorites. PSG have scored in each of their twenty eight games. Aston Villa are by no means traveling to Salzburg as doomed team. The English side have just completed a historic season, ending their 30-year title drought with a 3-0 victory against Freiburg in the Europa League final, and are now aiming to add another silver trophy to their collection. However, coach Unai Emery has lost three key players in Youri Tielemans, Lucas Dinge, and Morgan Rogers. While the team has brought in notable reinforcements in Joao Gomes, Alejandro Garnacho, and the Swiss international Johan Manzambi, the former Freiburg player and World Cup breakout star, for example is immediately sidelined with an injury. Captain John McGinn and Onana are also unavailable. |
