PSG without Mbappe holds Ronaldo and Co. to a draw in pre-season friendly

Football
Published 25.07.2023
PSG without Mbappe holds Ronaldo and Co. to a draw in pre-season friendly

Paris Saint-Germain’s Japan tour began with a whimper on Tuesday because it performed out a 0-0 draw with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in Osaka.

Japanese followers flocked to stadiums to see Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar strut their stuff in a sequence of friendlies for PSG final yr, however none of that trio was on present this time round.

Messi has departed for Major League Soccer facet Inter Miami and Neymar has been out with a knee harm since February and solely simply returned to full coaching.

Mbappe was sensationally not noted of the squad on the eve of PSG’s departure for Asia, along with his future on the membership unsure.

Carlos Soler tried an bold free-kick from distance in simply the second minute in Osaka, however Al Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Alaqidi was equal to the try.

Noha Lemina broke in behind for PSG 20 minutes later however noticed his effort skew huge of the close to put up.

The largest reactions from the comparatively modest crowd of 25,432 within the first half had been reserved for a few Ronaldo efforts.

The first noticed him denied from six yards by Gianluigi Donnarumma earlier than an acrobatic overhead kick went huge of the goal — though it wouldn’t have counted as a result of he was offside.

The second half was damaged up by a slew of substitutions by each side, with Ronaldo departing after 66 minutes.

Neither workforce was in a position to make a breakthrough, though PSG teenager Ilyes Housni seemed full of life after approaching and went shut on a few events.

PSG will subsequent play Cerezo Osaka on Friday, earlier than travelling to Tokyo to tackle Inter Milan.

Al Nassr will face Inter in Osaka on Thursday.