Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique does not expect a top-level UEFA Super Cup when his side face Aston Villa on Wednesday.
PSG want to start the new season with another European trophy. However, Luis Enrique says the World Cup has left his squad short of preparation.
PSG had 15 players at the World Cup. Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz won the tournament, while five France internationals reached the semi-finals.
The tournament ended just over three weeks ago. Several PSG players have only just returned to training.
“The internationals have only just come back,” Luis Enrique told reporters on Tuesday. “The French, Spanish and Moroccans came back on Monday, the Brazilians and Portuguese one week ago.”
That lack of preparation has left the PSG manager cautious about Wednesday’s game.
“In terms of a top-level game tomorrow, it will be difficult to see that,” he said. “Some of our players have barely trained but the ones who have will play tomorrow.”
Luis Enrique also criticised the timing of the match.
“In terms of preparation, this is not how it should be,” he said.
PSG won the UEFA Super Cup for the first time last season. They beat Tottenham Hotspur on penalties after lifting their first Champions League trophy.
Now they face Aston Villa, who won the Europa League last season.
Luis Enrique still wants another trophy. However, he insists PSG must prioritise their form later in the campaign.
“We set ourselves ambitious targets, we will continue to do so,” he said. “We are preparing for the season intelligently and we want to be in the best condition at the end of the season, rather than at the start of the season.”
PSG will also defend the French Super Cup on Sunday against Lens. The French champions therefore face two early opportunities to add silverware.
Luis Enrique refused to discuss the wider controversy surrounding FIFA and president Gianni Infantino when asked about the governing body’s recent crisis.
“I focus on my team, my players, the transfer window. I have no words about that,” he said.
“That is for politicians, I am not a politician. I have an opinion for sure, but not here, that’s not the place.”
PSG have also been given an additional dressing room in Salzburg after reportedly objecting to their allocated away room.
