Carlo Ancelotti went up against his former side tonight, as Real Madrid took on Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Both sides fielded strong starting XI's but it was Madrid who made the breakthrough on 26 minutes, courtesy of a precise finish from Karim Benzema.
Despite creating chances for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ezequiel Lavezzi the French champions were unable to respond, condemning Laurent Blanc's side to a second defeat of the summer.
Look back at an efficient display from Real with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Good afternoon European football fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole as we bring you live coverage of the glamour friendly between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, which takes place in Gothenburg, Sweden.
In a strange quirk new Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will face his former side at the Ullevi Stadium tonight, just two months after guiding PSG to the French title. The Parisians have chosen Laurent Blanc to replace Ancelotti, with the two men still finding their feet ahead of tonight's clash.
Ancelotti has brought 21 players to Sweden for tonight's match, the final game in their three-match run of games in Europe to begin pre-season. A whole host of star players are among the travelling party, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira.
Madrid's first-team squad has been back training under Ancelotti for two weeks now, with a string of internationals still to return after Confederations Cup duty. Last weekend's 6-0 win at Bournemouth was quickly followed up by a 2-2 draw at Lyon, with Ronaldo and Casemiro finding the net twice each across those games.
PSG preparations for defending their Ligue 1 crown have been decidedly low key, with a 3-1 defeat to Sturm Graz followed up by wins over Rapid Vienna and Hammarby. Blanc has largely used a 4-4-2 formation in those matches, in preparation for fielding the formidable partnership of Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in attack.
With Cavani still working his way back following Confederations Cup duty with Uruguay, the £55m forward is very unlikely to feature tonight. That means for now the spotlight will stay on Ibrahimovic, who despite persistent rumours of an exit from the Parc des Princes remains a PSG player.
Tonight is PSG's last friendly before a return to competitive action, in the Champions Trophy against Bordeaux next Saturday. That means Blanc's side should be slightly more advanced in their summer preparations, perhaps just giving them the edge against a Madrid side still working for full fitness.
Exit rumours have surrounded a number of PSG's starters from last season, including Javier Pastore and Marco Verratti. Both players remain in the French capital, along with Gregory van der Wiel, who failed to agree terms on a proposed loan switch to Inter Milan last month.
TEAM NEWS! We have just received confirmation of the PSG starting XI, which sees Ezequiel Lavezzi partner Ibrahimovic in attack. A full look at both sides will follow very shortly.
PSG: Sirigu, Jallet, Alex, Sakho, Maxwell, Pastore, Thiago Motta, Matuidi, Lucas, Lavezzi, Ibrahimovic
REAL MADRID: Diego Lopez, Pepe, Coentrao, Khedira, Ronaldo, Benzema, Ozil, Carvajal, Nacho, Modric, Isco
Both Blanc and Ancelotti have opted to name just about their strongest possible side, which bodes well for a competitive match in Gothenburg. Ronaldo will support Benzema in attack for Real, who have Ozil, Khedira Luka Modric for creative impetus in midfield.
PSG have named largely the side which performed so consistently under Ancelotti last season, so no real surprised tonight for the former coach. Lucas Moura gets a start as he steps up preparations after returning from Confederations Cup duty, with Pastore also likely to occupy a wide role.
Unfortunately new PSG striker Cavani has not travelled to Sweden and will not feature tonight. The Uruguayan is expected to join his new side for training in Paris next week, with the aim of being fit for the Ligue 1 kickoff two weeks from today against Montepellier.
PREDICTION! Just before play gets underway Gothenburg there is just time for me to register a guess at who will win this game. With PSG closer to getting their competitive campaign going I'll back Blanc to come out on top tonight, in a 2-1 success for the French giants.
We are slightly late starting in Sweden, with captains Pepe and Ibrahimovic just exchanging pre-match pleasantries and pendants. It still looks strange to see Zinedine Zidane and Claude Makelele in respective dugouts as assistant managers, but we are about to find out who will earn bragging rights this evening.
Here we go then, with PSG shooting from right to left in a changed white and blue strip. Madrid are also sporting a new light blue away strip, as Ibrahimovic and Lavezzi both get early touches in possession.
Matuidi brings down Ronaldo behind with a strong, if slightly reckless early challenge. The Portuguese forward landed awkwardly under that tackle, but thankfully is back on his feet and fine to continue. From the following free kick Isco's cross is headed well clear with authority by Alex.
A brilliant dummy from Modric just outside the penalty area looks to have earned Isco a free strike at goal, but the playmaker elects to take another touch and the chance goes. PSG are quick to break at the other end, as Pepe tangles with Ibrahimovic as the French side win an early corner kick.
A woeful cross from Lucas goes beyond a packed penalty area, but Thiago Motta's long pass soon after is just inches away from meeting Lavezzi's late run forward. A very open start from both sides, who look determined to put on a show tonight in Gothenburg.
Lucas wriggles clear of three defenders in a superb slalom run, leaving Khedira for dead as he darted inside the penalty area. With the goal at his mercy the winger elected to pass, skweing his ball towards Ibrahimovic wide and allowing Pepe to smash clear. Just a hint there at the 20-year-old's potential, which saw PSG pay over £30m for his services last summer.
Ronaldo gets involved with a strike from range, turning inside and out before smashing a speculative effort past the near post. At the other end Maxwell just fails to anticipate an intricate pass from Pastore. Ibrahomivic then responds with a stray ball towards Jallet, who cannot make up the ground out wide as Madrid retrieve possession.
Madrid march forward as Isco aims a low drive just beyond the far post from 20 yards, before Benzema's strike from close range is held well by Sirigu under pressure from Ronaldo.
Sakho's vital interception just stops Benzema's cross from finding Ronaldo inside the penalty area, as PSG are forced to defend from deep. Motta and Ibrahimovic help alleviate pressure with some measured approach play, before Pastore has a rush of blood to the head and hits fresh air with an attempted volley.
Ronaldo generates terrific power with his header towards goal from a Carvajal cross, but sends his effort just over Sirigu's crossbar. At the other end superb approach play sees Maxwell whip a dangerous ball into the six-yard box, with Lavezzi's drive from close range going wide of the near post. Chances at both ends in the space of a minute.
GOAL! PSG 0-1 Real Madrid (Benzema)
Benzema has just broken the deadlock with a quite magnificent finish. The forward took on a shot first time after a pass inside from Ozil, with his measured finish finding the far corner from 20 yards. Accuracy of the highest order there from the French international, who was quick to compliment Ozil for an intelligent assist.
PSG come close to a quick response through Ibrahimovic, who glances a header wide under pressure from Carvajal. Jallet did well to find space and deliver a looping cross, but the captain's effort drifted wide of Lopez's near post.
Pepe concedes a corner after leaving central defence to block a cross from Maxwell. Ibrahimovic takes the corner, but his effort fails to beat the first defender at the near post.
Pastore tires a spectacular curling drive from range instead of picking out Ibrahimovic at the far post. The skipper looks less then amused as the Argentine's effort falls tamely into Lopez's waiting arms, with a chance to attack in numbers wasted by Blanc's men. The rain feree then forces a shot delay in play as Nacho goes down on the halfway line, but the defender is thankfully fine to continue.
Carvajal shows superb composure to block Ibrahimovic's forward run with a a precise block tackle, allowing Madrid to take a breather while controlling possession. Isco and Ozil then both take control in central midfield, before Alex finally pounces on a soft forward pass towards Ronaldo.
YELLOW CARD! Modric gets the game's first caution for a cynical challenge on Lucas. The winger was breaking clear with pace and purpose before being brought down from behind on the halfway line, leaving the official with little choice but to book the Croatian playmaker.
MISS! Lavezzi has somehow failed to find the target from six yards. The Argentine had the goal at his mercy after a knockdown from Ibrahimovic, but got his strike all wrong as a poor effort bobbled wide from point-blank range.
MISS! Madrid have just gone within inches of extending their advantage. Khedira looked destined to tuck home a header from close range, but failed to make contact after a late run into the box. Benzema was on hand to pick up the pieces at the far post, but arrowed a header back beyond the near post by just fractions.
HALF TIME PSG 0-1 Real Madrid
I must say Madrid were impressive in that first period, especially considering that they are just two weeks into their pre-season programme. Benzema's precision strike currently separates the two sides, in a thoroughly entertaining clash.
Both sides have spurned a string of chances to add to that sole Benzema strike, with Lavezzi in particular guilty of wasteful finishing on more than one occasion. Lucas has also looked sharp for the French champions, who have been restricted to bursting clear on the counter for much of the first 45 minutes.
Just before the break Benzema should have doubled his tally, but managed to turn a header wide from just six yards. Isco, Modric and Ozil have all looked in fine fettle in a three-man midfield full of creativity, with Ozil in particular carrying a threat with every forward run.
I expect Madrid to make wholesale changes at the break, or very soon after. PSG get their competitive campaign underway next weekend, so will perhaps give the likes of Ibrahimovic, Pastore and Lucas a bit longer to find form and fitness in Sweden.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Both teams are back out in Gothenburg and as I expected Real's side for the second half features a few new faces. Brazilian midfielder Casemiro is among those introduced, along with Angel di Maria. I'll bring you more news on the replacements as soon as it becomes available!
Just the two confirmed changes for Madrid at the break then, with Isco and Modric the players to make way for Casemiro and Di Maria. PSG have kept their starting XI on show for now, as Ronaldo gets the match back underway.
Ibrahimovic barges into the back of Casemiro, before clipping Khedira with a late lunge almost instantly when play resumes. The referee stops play to have words with the PSG captain, but stops short of issuing a yellow card.
Both teams are guilty of a sluggish start to the second half, with Ozil picking things up with a diagonal pass in search of Carvajal. Jallet just about does enough to intercept with a touch behind, with PSG able to regroup effectively and clear the resulting corner kick.
SAVE! Di Maria gets involved for the first time, as his powerful drive from distance is deflected wide for a corner kick. The Argentine then finds Ronaldo with a cross from the following corner, with a bullet header just tipped wide by a strong arm from Sirigu.
Ronaldo continues his duel with Sirigu after firing towards goal form wide angle, but the keeper reads his intentions to palm clear. Benzema is then on hand to slam another effort on target, keeping the PSG keeper busy as he catches cleanly at the near post.
Maxwell interrupts a sweeping Madrid move involving Ozil and Ronaldo, before charging forward to start an attack at the other. Lucas eventually picks out Lavezzi, who tests Lopez with a low drive from 20 yards.
Ronaldo meets a cutback from Benzema at full pelt, but fails to put enough power on a first-time strike that Sirigu gathers with relative ease. At the other end Ibrahimovic looks ready to head towards goal unmarked, but a late interception from Pepe denies the Swede.
SUBSTITUTIONS: PSG decide to make three changes, bringing on Thiago Silva, Verratti and Ongenda. Lavezzi is among the players to be withdrawn, as Blanc shuffles his pack midway through the second period.
SUBSTITUTION: Verratti almost has an instant impact, exchanging passes with Ibrahimovic before driving low and hard towards goal, but just beyond the far post. Real Madrid decide to make a change when the ball leaves play, with Kaka replacing Benzema. That should mean Ronaldo moves inside to operate as the furthest man forward.
SHOT! A sweeping Madrid counter almost ruthlessly exposes a poor pass from Thaigo Motta. Ronaldo switched the play with quick feet inside the penalty area, but under pressure Ozil's drive went just a few inches wide of Sirigu's near post. Superb football from Ancelotti's side, but still no second goal.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Blanc decides the time is right to withdraw Lucas Moura, with youngster Habran Romain on to take his place. The playmaker did well to last 75 minutes given his involvement in the Confederations Cup, and looked sharp when provided with service to attack. Positive signs there for the Brazilian winger.
Pastore shows the selfish side to his game after failing to spot a positive overlap from Maxwell, instead guiding a shot high over the crossbar. Meanwhile Madrid have made another change, swapping for Khedira for Spain under-21 striker Alvaro Morata.
YELLOW CARD! Verrati picks up a needless booking for a cynical challenge on Coentrao, clipping the Madrid's man heels as he surged beyond the halfway line. Plenty of space opening up at both the ends of the pitch now, with PSG searching for a late equaliser.
Kaka screws a deflected drive wide in his first involvement since coming on, before trying a risky slalom run through a packed midfield inside his own half. Shades of the Brazilian's days at AC Milan there, with PSG unable to make the most of a corner kick soon after.
Alex smashes clear a Kaka free-kick, giving PSG the chance to break out wide on the counter through Romain. Coentrao quickly covers to shut down the danger, with Ibrahimovic's audacious attempt at a lob trickling well over the crossbar from 12 yards.
Coentrao forces a late break in play with what looks like an arm injury, as he trudges to the touchline complaining of discomfort. Thiago Motta also appears to be struggling in the closing stages, with both sides waiting for the final whistle.
Quite amazingly the fourth official has signalled for five added minutes, but to Ronaldo's annoyance as he has words with the referee.
Ronaldo twists and turns past Motta, winning a free kick just outside the penalty area deep into stoppage time. The Portuguese forward gets up to take, with his fierce low drive going through the wall before being punched clear on the bounce by Sirigu.
FULL TIME Paris Saint-Germain 0-1 Real Madrid
Despite chances galore at both ends, Benzema's early strike was enough to separate the two sides, earning Madrid a win that maintains their unbeaten pre-season campaign. PSG were very competitive throughout, but wasteful finishing cost Blanc's side dear.
Madrid will now travel to the United States for the Guinness International Champions Cup, a pre-season tournament featuring Juventus and the Los Angeles Galaxy. PSG, meanwhile, get their competitive campaign underway next weekend, in the Champions Trophy against Bordeaux.
That will just about do it for Sports Mole's pre-season coverage from Gothenburg. Thanks for your time and be sure to check back in all weekend for comprehensive coverage of football from across the continent. Good evening!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
