Soccer
Unai Emery taking heart from youth performances after Super Cup loss
Unai Emery admitted Brian Madjo was one of Aston Villa’s shining lights after they were eclipsed by Paris St Germain in the Super Cup.
Teenage striker Madjo scored a glorious debut equaliser to cancel out Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s opening goal.
But Desire Doue’s winner meant Champions League holders PSG became only the third club to retain the Super Cup after AC Milan in 1990 and Real Madrid in 2017.
Shortly after the solar eclipse had cast its shadow over Salzburg, 17-year-old Madjo lit up the Red Bull Arena and could have had a hat-trick before scoring with a stunning far-post volley.
But a narrow 2-1 defeat made it an ultimately gloomy evening for the Premier League side.
However, Emery was cheered by the displays of Madjo – making his debut after a protracted wrangle over FIFA rules following his January move from Metz – as well as fellow teenager George Hemmings.
“Their experiences and having days like today are very important,” he said.
“Brian played today because in pre-season he has showed his capacity to work.
“The reality is to keep being consistent and performing in the level they showed today.”
Emery confirmed absent trio Ollie Watkins, Emi Martinez and Ezri Konsa, who were given an extended holiday after the World Cup, will be back in training at the weekend .
“We played one match today to compete for a trophy and we decided to play this match with the players who were ready to play,” he added.
“We tried to avoid risk to some players, and of course they are very important players but it is important how we manage the players.
“We need the players for the rest of the season. I have experience and I am trying to use my experience to try and avoid some mistakes.
“I’m so, so happy because we used some young players who were working with us last year but not playing. There is work to do but they showed they can be close to playing.
“We had some players last week injured and they recovered quick. We needed to be intelligent with how we wanted to play this match.
“I’m happy with the decisions. Watkins wanted to play. I told him to keep resting.
“Today I think the team tactically responded fantastically. They looked PSG in the eyes. I wanted this trophy but I needed to prepare the match under the circumstances.
“I am proud of the players. But it’s not a win. We were playing for a trophy.”
Luis Enrique has turned PSG into a winning machine as he celebrated a European ‘double-double’, with his side becoming only the third to retain the trophy after AC Milan in 1990 and Real Madrid in 2017.
The Spaniard has now collected a remarkable 13 trophies since he took over at the Parc Des Princes in 2023.
“We knew it would be a tough game,” he said. “But we were able to play as we did because my players showed just what they are made of.
“It was a demonstration of what this team is made of. Our DNA. And our fans help us win trophies.”
