He wasn't the European champion in all his glory under the Alps, but even when he wasn't having his best day, at the start of the season, he showed that he was a trophy machine.
Paris Saint-Germain are the winners of the European Super Cup for the second time in history, the second time in a row - the "Saints" beat Aston Villa 2:1 in Salzburg with goals from Hviča Kvarachelija and Désiré Due.
The Birmingham club did not reach the next cup, but they did not disappoint. Despite playing in a combined squad after the departures this summer, they were even the better opponent for most of the match.
In addition, Unai Emery got an attacking machine who is only 17 years old - the powerful Brian Maggio tormented Luis Enrique's defense, and was also the scorer of the equalizer.
The match in western Austria was also marked by watching the solar eclipse from the stands, and all of this seemed to put the players of the French and English clubs to sleep a little at the start of the match.
However, the first pace quickly picked up, as if it wasn't just the beginning of the season.
Kvarchelija carried his great form from the Champions League to the Super Cup, and in the 20th minute he masterfully scored for 1:0 - with his bomb Marko Bizot didn't have the slightest chance.
Immediately after that, Aston Villa started to dominate, Maggio had several great chances, until in the 45th minute he finally checked Matvey Safonov (1:1). Although a teenager, he looked too powerful for Willian Pace and Marquinhos.
Birmingham were a great team after that, but they were cut short by a goal that seemed to have been scored from offside. Due evaded the Villa defense, Mati Keš was disastrously positioned, and the Frenchman easily finished the action (2:1).
The Super Cup will be remembered for the new trophy for Enrique's team, but also for Omar Artan, the Somali referee who was banned by the United States from refereeing at the recent World Cup, and whom UEFA graciously invited to referee this match.
It's over in Salzburg - PSG have won the European Super Cup for the second year in a row. The Saints beat Aston Villa 2-1.
74' - Aston Villa are not giving up, Joao Gomes had a great chance now, but Safonov was excellent once again.
62' - Just a minute later, Aston Villa could have equalized, but Safonov made a phenomenal save from George Hemmings' shot.
61' - GOOOAL! Paris Saint-Germain are leading again - the goal was scored by Desiree Due, although at first it seemed that he was offside.
However, at the moment when Dembele passed the ball, Matty Cash was desperately placed in Aston Villa's back line.
PSG - Aston Villa 2:1.
51' - Villa continue with their great play. This time Maggio pulled off a counterattack, played past McGinn, and the Scot's shot was saved by Safonov.
46' - The second half has started, Enrique reacted and sent Ousmane Dembele in. Akliush, a signing from Monaco who didn't shine too much on his debut, came on.
The first half is over, PSG - Aston Villa 1:1.
The European champion took the lead through Kvarachelia, but the Europa League winner deservedly equalized through 17-year-old Brian Maggio.
45' - GOOOAL! It was a matter of time before Brian Maggio would set up his sights. McGinn scored, the powerful striker was more agile than Pace. Aston Villa deserved a draw (1:1).
This guy is only 17 years old and is obviously a big surprise for Enrique and his team.
44' - Not to mention Madja - Villa's powerful striker "swallowed" Pać, and then hit the post.
42' - Brian Maggio had already missed a good goal - now again with a header from a few meters, after a great move and McGinn's cross.
35' - Another good attempt by Aston Villa - Maggio had another chance, sending it into the far corner of Safon's goal, but was off target by a few centimeters.
28' - Great move by Aston Villa and a great chance for Brian Maggio, however the striker who played for the youth teams of Luxembourg and England headed wide.
21' - GOOOAL! And, of course - Hvicha Kvaracheli! A great goal from the maestro from Georgia, a bomb against which Bizo had no chance.
The guy who was probably the best player in the European champions last season, scored a few moments after Desire Due's chance.
15' - Not much excitement in Salzburg so far. Villa started the match a little better, after which PSG took the initiative. However, the real chances are still waiting.
1' - The match in Salzburg has started, you can read the Super Cup announcement for the first excitement.
The match is about to start, these are the team lineups. Luis Enrique has decided on almost the strongest team, Emery has combined a lot.
PSG: Safonov - Hakimi, Marquinhos, Paco, Mendes - Neves, Vitinha, Zaire-Emery - Aklijus, Due, Kvaratshelija.
ASTON VILA: Bizo - Keš, Lindelof, Tores, Matsen - Mekgin, Gomeš, Kamara, Hemings - Buendia, Mađo.
About an hour before the start of the game, the solar eclipse was also interesting for fans of both clubs who were in the stands of the Red Bull Arena.
The European Super Cup has long been the most beautiful way to officially start a new season, and for the winner, an even more beautiful way to announce the great challenges that lie ahead with the trophy.
This time, in the duel between the winners of the Champions League and Europa League, Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa will clash.
The great clash in Salzburg is expected to start at 21 p.m.
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