The match at the Red Bull Arena kicks off at 9 PM, with Somali referee Omar Artan, who was barred by the US from officiating at the World Cup, taking charge. Broadcast on HRT 2 and Arena Sport 1.
The European football season officially kicks off for the continent's giants tonight. Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning Champions League winners, and Aston Villa, the Europa League champions, will face off in the 51st edition of the UEFA Super Cup. The match takes place at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, with kickoff scheduled for 9 PM.
PSG clinched the Champions League trophy last season by defeating Arsenal in a penalty shootout in the final. Aston Villa edged out Germany's Freiburg in the Europa League final. Both clubs have thus earned their place in the match that traditionally opens the new European club football season.
This is not the first encounter with the Super Cup trophy for these teams. Aston Villa have already won it, back in 1982, when, as the Champions League winners from the 1981/82 season, they beat Barcelona 6-1 on aggregate over two legs. PSG had their only previous appearance before tonight in 1996, but suffered a heavy 9-2 aggregate defeat to Juventus. However, the Parisians claimed the trophy last year, overcoming London's Tottenham on penalties.
PSG will line up in a 4-3-3 formation: Safonov in goal; defense of Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, and Nuno Mendes; midfield of João Neves, Vitinha, and Zaïre-Emery; and attack of Akliouche, Doué, and Kvaratskhelia. Ousmane Dembélé, last year's Ballon d'Or winner, starts on the bench. Aston Villa will field a 4-4-2: Bizot between the posts; defense of Cash, Lindelöf, Pau Torres, and Maatsen; midfield of McGinn, João Gomes, Kamara, and Hemmings; and attack of Buendía and Madzou. Emiliano Martínez is not in the squad.
Ahead of the match, PSG manager Luis Enrique stated: "Some players only returned this Monday, while others came back last week. We're trying to prepare as best we can. I don't know what form my players will be in on Wednesday. We'll try to win this top-flight match." On the other side, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said: "We'll try to convey a message to the dressing room and prepare for the match knowing they feel like favorites. Because they, of course, are."
The main referee for the match will be Somali official Omar Artan. His appointment carries special weight because US authorities barred him from entering the country, preventing him from officiating at the World Cup. UEFA has rewarded him with this match, and FIFA has paid him the full guaranteed sum he would have earned for the tournament. Read more about his unusual story on Index.hr.
Croatian viewers can follow the match on two television channels. The broadcast is provided by HRT 2, the public broadcaster, as well as Arena Sport 1. A live text feed is available on Index.hr.
