PSG's mini-tour to Qatar, which ended with a 1-0 victory against Monaco in the Champions Trophy, helped to unite a group a little more at the dawn of a month of January decisive for the European future of the club.
Together is everything. From their departure from Paris on Thursday January 2 after a morning training in Poissy to the 1-0 victory against Monaco on Sunday January 5 in Doha, the PSG players and staff spent more than 72 hours together in Qatar where the club had planned several commercial operations in the country of its main shareholder, as well as training to prepare for the Champions Trophy.
The decision to take everyone was well received by the group
According to L'Equipe, this winter mini-tour also made it possible to develop team spirit and cohesion, especially since 26 players had been called up by Luis Enrique, even those who hardly play anymore and who are pushed towards the exit. While tensions between the Spanish coach and certain players may have arisen in the fall, this decision to take everyone to Doha was appreciated by the group.
“A good-natured, relaxed and constructive atmosphere”thus reigned within the Parisian group according to the sports daily, which specifies that the Parisian delegation did not only work in Qatar and was also able to unwind a little, with for example a giant barbecue with President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and exchanges with former Parisians Marco Verratti and Sergio Rico, who now play in Qatar.
“When you spend three or four days together and we are all together, it unites the group”
“When you spend three or four days together and we are all together, it unites the group, recognized Ousmane Dembélé on Sunday evening after the Champions Trophy. I know a little about selection. We have an extremely close-knit group when we go to competitions. Doing this little training course and winning this final brings the group together, very clearly. »
If the organization of the Champions Trophy in Qatar was criticized by certain observers, it therefore seems to have been beneficial to PSG, even beyond the conquest of a 52nd title. The club will now have to capitalize on these three days of “team building” to come together against Manchester City (January 22) and Stuttgart (January 29) in the Champions League.
