5: 0 in the final of the Champions League, 4-0 at the start into the club World Cup: Paris Saint-Germain shows no strength wear at the end of a long season. At times, the French showed an astonishing joy of playing.
The clear result against Atlético Madrid in the first top game of the new Mega tournament was by no means easy, emphasized coach Luis Enrique. “My feeling is that it was heavier than the ad suggested. It was very hot out there”said the Spaniard. “We are still at the same level as a few weeks ago – even at this heat. It’s incredibly hot here, but we are simply happy about our victory.”
Without any shadow on the playing field of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the stadium of the World Cup final in 1994 north of Los Angeles, and at more than 30 degrees Celsius around lunchtime at the kick-off, the game was physically a challenge for both teams. The La Ola wave spilled over the ranks.
Sun causes problems for the actors
“We are used to playing with a roof in stadiums and the Rose Bowl is much more open. The sun crazy, that was a bit difficult”said scorer Senny Mayulu, who, according to the two goals by Fabian Ruiz (19th minute) and Vitinha (45.+1), marked the meantime 3: 0 in the first half (87.).
Atlético finished the game in Madrid, after a yellow-red card for Clement Lenglet (78th), outnumbered and had no more funds against the ball-safe French. “The red card broke us the neck”said Koke. Previously, Julián Álvarez had achieved the supposed 1: 2 and Atlético hopes, but after Var use, a foul was decided in the origin (58.).
Traffic chaos around the stadium
Also after the intervention of the Var there was still a penalty for Paris in added time, which Kang-in Lee converted to 4: 0 (90.+7). Many of the 80,619 spectators, according to the FIFA, were already on the way home – after numerous visitors had also missed the start of the encounter because of the great traffic around the stadium.
In the second game of Group B, Botafogo Fr from Rio de Janeiro won against the host Seattle Sunders from the North American MLS with 2: 1 (2-0). The duel of the Copa liberadores winner with PSG is on Friday.
In group A, Palmeiras and FC Porto separated goalless on Monday night. The opening game between Inter Miami and Al-Nahry from this group was also 0-0. The two best teams of each group qualify for the round of 16.