Why does Luis Enrique say he has no players ahead of the Super Cup?

A large number of PSG players returned late from their post-World Cup break, so they have only been training for a few days. Enrique doesn't know their physical condition and finds it hard to predict who will be able to play.

Who are the key absentees for PSG and Aston Villa?

For PSG, Dembele, Barcola, Ruiz, Hakimi, and others are doubtful due to fitness. Villa are without injured Bailey, Manzambi, and Onana, while Martinez, Watkins, and Garnacho are doubtful.

What chances does Opta's supercomputer give the teams?

In 10,000 simulations, PSG have a 45 percent chance of winning in 90 minutes, Aston Villa 29.6 percent, and a draw 25.5 percent.

Who is the new PSG player who arrived from Aston Villa?

Lucas Digne, a 33-year-old left-back, was sold from Aston Villa to PSG for 10 million euros the day before the Super Cup. He played 182 matches for Villa.

Football

Enrique throws up his hands ahead of the Super Cup: I have no players

B.M. · Prije 11h | 4 min

PSG coach faces chaotic preparations after the World Cup. Key players only returned on Monday, and the final against Aston Villa is tomorrow.

Summary

Luis Enrique warns he doesn't know the physical condition of players due to late returns from the World Cup.
PSG are missing Dembele, Barcola, Ruiz, and others, while Villa have injury problems with Bailey, Manzambi, and Onana.
Opta's supercomputer gives PSG a 45 percent chance of winning in 90 minutes, and Villa 29.6 percent.
Lucas Digne moved from Aston Villa to PSG for 10 million euros the day before the final in Salzburg.

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Luis Enrique, the Paris Saint-Germain coach, could not hide his frustration at the press conference ahead of tomorrow's UEFA Super Cup. His team will face Aston Villa in Salzburg, but the Spanish tactician said he practically has no players available due to the late return of World Cup participants.

"I have no players. Some players returned on Monday, and others came back last week. We're trying to prepare as best we can, but I don't know what physical condition our players will be in," Enrique said at the press conference, as reported by Goal.com. "This is the first official match of the season, so it's very important for us. I hope we can repeat what we did last year, and that we can compete and fight for the Super Cup."

Dembele and company arrived at the last minute

The squad problems are a direct consequence of the tournament that ended just three weeks ago. Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, who scored six goals and provided two assists for France, returned on Monday along with national teammates Desiree Doue and Bradley Barcola. They were joined by Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz, a World Cup winner.

In contrast, star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia did not even play in the tournament because Georgia did not qualify, so he has been training much longer and is a likely starter on the left wing. New signing Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco could take the right side, especially since Barcola, who scored three goals at the World Cup, is linked with a move to Liverpool.

"We've suffered many absences during the preparation matches, so it's hard to predict who will be able to play," Enrique added. "Last year was exceptional, and this one is too. In terms of preparation, it's difficult to manage the number of minutes each player can play."

Digne returns home, Emery without key midfielders

In an interesting transfer the day before the match, Aston Villa sold Lucas Digne to PSG for 10 million euros ($11.6 million). The 33-year-old left-back was born in the suburbs of Paris and first joined PSG in 2013 from Lille. He played 182 matches for Villa and was one of Unai Emery's most consistent players, the former coach of the Parisian club.

Villa, meanwhile, has lost key midfielders Morgan Rogers (Chelsea) and Youri Tielemans (Manchester United). Among the new signings are Swiss international Johan Manzambi and Brazilian midfielder Joao Gomes from Wolverhampton, but Manzambi misses the match due to a knee injury. Villa will also be without Leon Bailey, Amadou Onana, and Alejandro Garnacho, while Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins are doubtful. Aston Villa won the Europa League last season by beating Freiburg 3-0 in the final.

Favorites despite the chaos

Despite all the problems, Opta's supercomputer gives PSG a 45 percent chance of winning in regular time in 10,000 simulations. Aston Villa has a 29.6 percent chance of triumphing in 90 minutes, while a draw and extra time stand at 25.5 percent.

Enrique is aware that expectations are high, but he is also realistic. "Of course, we set ambitious goals from the start and we will continue to work that way. Everyone believes we are capable of winning again, but that's just theory, and we have to prove it on the pitch. We want to win again, but it's not easy."

The path to defending the trophy begins tomorrow at 19:00 GMT at the stadium in Salzburg, and the match will be officiated by Somali referee Omar Artan. "It's important for every team to win a European title, and we'll see what kind of match the two teams will put on tomorrow," Enrique concluded.