All-star Paris Saint-Germain arrived in Japan on Sunday to play a round of matches against three local teams, with new manager Christophe Galtier looking to get off to a good start with the French giants.
Saint-Germain, which includes the fiery trio of Kylian Mbappé, Brazilian Neymar and Argentinean Lionel Messi, will face Kawasaki Frontale, Urawa Reds and Gamba Osaka during their 10-day stay in Japan before the French champion will travel to Israel to meet Nantes in the French Champions Cup match in Tel Aviv, July 31.
.@KMbappe welcomed by fans here in Japan! ????????#PSGJapanTour2022pic.twitter.com/LTojCBNdgh
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) July 17, 2022
This is just a THANK YOU! ❤️????
What a great way to start this #PSGJapanTour2022! ???????? pic.twitter.com/gX7JbFklr4
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) July 17, 2022
Galtier will take charge of Paris Saint-Germain for the first time since his arrival from Nice, replacing Mauricio Pochettino.
“We have three matches ahead of us against very good opponents,” Galtier said at a press conference in Tokyo. “Japanese football is at a very high level, its players have good technique and good speed. I hope these matches will be a good preparation for the Champions Cup in Tel Aviv.
As for Messi, he believes Japanese football has “made great progress”, adding: “They are very organized and competitive. They have become more competitive physically.”
Source: AFP.