5 Talking points from PSG’s win over Lyon

PSG won their fifth Trophée des Champions beating Lyon 2-0 thanks to goals from Serge Aurier and Edinson Cavani, in what ended up being a one sided contest. With the French domestic campaign set to start on August 7, here are five points we can take from the match.

1. PSG are set to dominate the domestic scene once again

PSG have the strongest financial muscle in French football. They have a well balanced team and it seems even David Luiz is less error prone in the big match. Lyon are one of traditional French powerhouses and were not able to turn up against PSG. There will be little or no competition facing PSG in the three domestic competitions in France.

Provided they do not produce any massive blunders or suffer long injuries, domestic performance can be taken a bit lighter than European ambitions.

1. Di María will make PSG European contenders.

PSG are close to signing Ángel Di María from Manchester United for a fee rumoured to be in the £45 million region. He will give PSG much needed pace and service from the wings. With frontmen like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani to receive his crosses, they should be able to convert more chances, resulting in more goals.

This impending arrival might be the key PSG need to truly establish themselves as a powerhouse in continental championships.

1. Lyon need to bring their act together

PSG were favourites heading into the Trophees des champions. However, Lyon’s preparations for the season have been nothing short of shambolic. Four defeats and a single preseason win. In the Trophée des Champions, they were unable to register a single shot on target and sealed their fate in the 64 minute, when Maxime Gonalons was sent off. With Monaco and Marseille having had far better preparations for the season, Lyon’s Champions League hopes for next season are currently slim.

1. This could finally be Cavani’s year to shine

Cavani has played second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his two seasons with the Paris Outfit. Unable to dislodge the Swede, he was deployed on the wings when both were together. However, sources indicate Zlatan could have played his last game with Paris and would be leaving.

Zlatan is quoted to have saying to the french press,

This could’ve been my last game for PSG. I am about to make an important decision,

If he does leave (AC Milan is the rumored destination), Cavani will get his striker position back. He has not had a bad spell, having scored 31 times in 53 matches last season, but he is capable of more goals if he gets his position.

He has already opened his account with the club this season, having scored the second goal

1. Yohan Cabaye’s departure is just what was needed.

Yohan had wanted to win trophies and left Newcastle for a £19 million move to PSG. However, there he was not happy with the club set up, and struggled to recreate the form he had shown in Lille and Newcastle. This would lead to his eventual departure to Crystal Palace for around £12.8million, following one and half seasons in Paris during which he scored 3 and assisted 4 goals.

This has allowed other midfielders who are more in tune to the set up to fall in. The likes of Lucas Moura, Verratti, Rabiot and Matuidi to have the flexibility that they need. Also, with the arrival of Di Maria, it was important to remove at least one midfielder to accommodate the Argentine.