PSG: "I really enjoyed it," a serene and peaceful first match for newcomer Illya Zabarnyi

Illya Zabarnyi, first! Officially a PSG player since last Tuesday , the 22-year-old Ukrainian central defender (49 caps, 3 goals) only experienced the European Super Cup as a spectator. He accompanied the group to Italy and witnessed his new teammates' crazy victory against Tottenham, on penalties (2-2, 4-3 pen) . And was entitled to his medal. It was Marquinhos who gave it to him. " I expect it to be difficult, but I'm ready. I can't wait to discover the team, meet everyone, and start playing, " said the former Bournemouth player upon signing .

He didn't have to wait too long. The big debut was on Sunday, in Nantes, in the closing match of the first day of Ligue 1. The first marked by a victory (1-0) and a calm and positive performance, against an opposition that was not exactly the most challenging.

Also read: Nantes-PSG: Vitinha plays master, Zabarnyi succeeds in his first in a bland match... The tops and the flops

First of all, it should be noted that Luis Enrique had made a large turnover , for example changing his entire defense compared to last Wednesday. Zabarnyi was lined up on the right in the central hinge, associated with the left-footed Lucas Beraldo. During the phases of possession, and there were many (70.6%), the Ukrainian switched to the right in the defensive trio, exactly like Marquinhos when he is there. Difficult at the beginning, with for example two ball losses in the first five minutes of the match. Subsequently, he often played short to Vitinha, without risk, before becoming a little bolder, like this opening on the right for Ibrahim Mbaye (41st). "Viti" nevertheless remained his favorite relay. In the end, Zabarnyi completed 61 of his 64 passes (95%), with all the same five ball losses.

Defensively, it's clear that the Canaries, who were stuck in their own net most of the time, didn't pose the greatest test to the Parisian rearguard. However, for a start, Illya Zabarnyi did the job and showed glimpses of his qualities. Those for which PSG paid €63 million excluding bonuses. With a winning aerial duel and good depth management just after the break, he really got his game going, having managed to impose his physique (1.89m) without multiplying tackles (2/2), with a great sense of anticipation.

Elegant in his movements and interventions, without forgetting to be authoritarian, he had for example seen everything in the 36th, stifling the Nantes breakthrough with serenity and vision, before carrying out a solid protection of the ball (42nd). Herba Guirassy came off shortly before the hour mark after contact with Zabarnyi, who was trapped by the good control of the substitute Mathys Abline. The only time. At the end of the game, he had the opportunity to rely on the prestigious substitutes Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi, generally at ease.

Asked after the match about his new number 6's performance on Ligue 1+ , Luis Enrique described the match as "a very good level ." " The three players who signed this summer (Renato Marin, Lucas Chevalier and Illya Zabarnyi, editor's note) will bring a lot to the table. We know them. We think they are players who can improve the team ," he added. In a press conference, the Spanish coach detailed his analysis, estimating that his physical and technical qualities are " perfect for the style of play (that) I like. He is comfortable on the ball. He played a very good match ," he summed up.

It's a big club, you have to win everything, but I like this pressure, it makes me grow, it makes me progress. I want to help my club and my teammates as best I can.

Illya Zabarnyi

And how did the main player concerned experience this first outing as a PSG player? " Ligue 1? It's different, but I enjoyed it, I like having the ball, playing in teams that have possession, I really enjoyed it. I felt good, " he said, in English, not failing to win over the Parisian supporters. " They were there, they didn't stop singing. As for the rest, I haven't known my new teammates for long, but they are incredible players ," he declared, his transfer taking a long time to materialize. And this despite having given his agreement to Paris a long time ago. Discussions dragged on between the two clubs. " For me, it was very long, it took time, but today I'm happy to be here with the team. Everyone is trying to put me in the best conditions ," he explained to the new broadcaster.

Also read Ligue 1: Lacking inspiration, PSG secures the essentials in Nantes

His goals? " It's a big club, you have to win everything, but I like this pressure, it makes me grow, it makes me progress. I want to help my club and my teammates as best I can. I'm going to fight for them, in the Champions League but in all competitions ," he insisted.

The last part of his remarks will no doubt please Luis Enrique, who assured that he " needs all the players. They all like to play the important matches but to win the trophies, to have the success of last year, we need all the players, to be motivated and ready, it is a sine qua non condition to be a PSG player ." A message that we imagine addressed to the new arrivals, Illya Zabarnyi in the lead, those who were already there being already aware... And to conclude: " To be ambitious, we will need to change things. The recruits give us options. We want to get out of our comfort zone, that is our mentality. The objective is to improve ourselves."

In the meantime, Paris Saint-Germain have taken three points to begin their title defense, after lifting a trophy last Wednesday. From a financial perspective, everything is going well. Next up for the Parisian European champions? A reunion with the Parc des Princes when they host Angers on Friday (8:45 p.m.), on the second day of Ligue 1. Another big first in sight for Zabarnyi. So far, so good.