Paris Saint-Germain fielded a young side for their first pre-season friendly against RCD Mallorca on Wednesday. According to a report by Maxifoot, manager Luis Enrique had to deal with the absence of many key players still resting after the World Cup.
The starting eleven had an unfamiliar look with goalkeeper Matvei Safonov between the posts. The defense consisted of Boly, Illia Zabarnyi, Koukaba, and Lucea. The midfield featured Dro Fernandez, Lucas Beraldo, and Senny Mayulu. The attack was led by Mbaye, Ndjantou, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. This match comes as most other Ligue 1 clubs have already resumed competitive action several weeks ago.
Why did Luis Enrique pick this team?
The absence of many Paris Saint-Germain starters is directly linked to their recent participation in the World Cup. Luis Enrique used this friendly to test squad players and give minutes to those who usually lack playing time. This decision fits the logic of managing a large squad for a long season where all resources will be needed. The club's busy schedule, visible on our fixtures page, demands squad depth.
Which young players were given a chance?
Several youngsters took their opportunity in this preparatory match. Senny Mayulu, a promising midfielder developed at the club, occupied a central role. In defense, the young Koukaba played alongside the experienced Boly and Ukrainian center-back Illia Zabarnyi, who already brings solidity. In attack, the prospects Mbaye and Ndjantou played alongside Georgian star Kvaratskhelia, offering a mix of experience and freshness. The full squad composition is available on our squad page.
What is the context of this late pre-season?
Paris Saint-Germain is starting its pre-season later than its direct rivals in Ligue 1. This delay is a direct consequence of the massive participation of its players in the latest World Cup, which extended their season. The club must therefore accelerate its conditioning process while integrating new arrivals. This situation creates a particular challenge for the technical staff, who must prepare the team for the first official matches of the season in a shortened timeframe. The current Ligue 1 standings can be viewed on the standings page.
What's next in the preparation schedule?
The match against Mallorca is only the first in a series of friendlies planned by Paris Saint-Germain to regain competitive rhythm. The immediate goal is to build up the players' fitness and refine tactical automatisms before the Ligue 1 kick-off. Luis Enrique and his staff will analyze the individual and collective performances from this first outing. The coming weeks will be key to fine-tuning the fitness of the entire squad, including the internationals who will gradually reintegrate training.
