PSG to complete Doha training camp with Inter friendly

The French champions finish their four-day training camp in Qatar with a friendly against Roberto Mancini's side at Al Sadd's Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Wednesday

A last game in 2015 to prepare 2016. To conclude the four-day training camp in Doha, PSG will face Inter at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Wednesday, the ground that is usually home to Al Sadd and Xavi, the former Barcelona maestro who is now plying his trade in Qatar. 

PSG faced Inter in a mid-season friendly in Marrakech last year which ended in a 1-0 win for the French champions with Yohan Cabaye scoring the only goal. 

Inter have also been training in Doha this winter but at facilities in the city centre and not at the Aspire Zone, which has hosted PSG for their mini break.


#PSGVIP: Al Sadd Stadium

It's where Xavi now plies his trade and where PSG - Paris Saint-Germain will take on F.C. Internazionale Milano tomorrow - take a quick tour around Al Sadd's stadium! #PSGVIP

"We enjoy perfect facilities to prepare the rest of the season,” said Marco Verratti.

“We want to do even better than the first season, we have very high ambitions."


After a nearly perfect 2015, PSG are now setting their sights on the Champions League, with the French champions due to face Chelsea in the last 16 of the competition.

"Winning the Champions League is a few very difficult thing,” explained Laurent Blanc. “But I think my players are ready for the challenge.”

Wednesday’s match against Inter is a chance for both sides to improve their physical condition, especially the players who have indulged in "some excesses” - as described by Blaise Matuidi - during the holiday period. It is also another chance for PSG to enhance their popularity in the Middle East.

In just three days the 13,000 seats in the stadium were sold. All through the internet - a first for Qatar.

On Wednesday, Blanc will have all of his group to work with but the players are at varying stages of fitness. 

The South American players, accompanied by Salvatore Sirigu, arrived on Tuesday morning and are unlikely to play more than 20 minutes against Inter. 

Benjamin Stambouli, Gregory Van der Wiel and Thiago Motta have all missed training since Sunday due to minor muscle fatigue, while Layvin Kurzawa is suffering from a slight calf problem.

No risks will be taken by PSG on Wednesday as the team will return to the French capital directly after the game. The players will return to their normal training regime on Thursday and then it will be time to attack in 2016.