Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc has declared that last weekend's hard-fought Trophee des Champions win over Bordeaux will sharpen his side's focus ahead of the new Ligue 1 campaign.
Blanc's men needed a stoppage-time winner from Alex to edge Bordeaux 2-1 in the traditional curtain raiser to the French season, held in Libreville, Gabon.
He told Ligue 1's official website: "It was a very very tough match against a Bordeaux side that we respect and know very well. In the first half, we had chances but we couldn't convert. In the second, we struggled physically as we looked to get our second wind.
"But we dug deep and found the resources to equalise and then score the second goal. Hats off to Bordeaux, who played an excellent match. It just goes to show that this season, every side will be super-motivated when it comes time to play against PSG, this was a good example of what we can expect this season.
"Our pre-season preparation has been tough, we only got some players back quite late on in the piece and we're still not quite ready. What lies ahead will be tough, but those are exactly the kind of challenges that are the most exciting. Tonight, we saw some young lads make a very good first impression, and that proves that PSG is not just a team of stars, we also have some great homegrown talent coming through."
Summer signing Edinson Cavani was left out of the squad to face Bordeaux, but he is in contention for his first appearance this Friday when PSG begin their Ligue 1 campaign with a trip to Montpellier.
Liam Power
