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PSG Prepares for Champions League Opener Against Slovan Bratislava

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Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are getting ready to start their Champions League campaign.

Their first match will be against Slovan Bratislava.

Before the game, coach Luis Enrique spoke at a press conference.

He gave journalists information about the team, including a medical update.

According to the update, one new player is still receiving treatment for an injury.

This means the player, called a new recruit, will not be available for the match.

PSG defender Marquinhos also spoke to reporters ahead of the game.

He talked about his teammate Ousmane Dembélé.

Marquinhos described Dembélé as 'a perfect player'.

This shows how much Marquinhos values his teammate's skills.

Marquinhos also expressed excitement about returning to the Champions League.

For PSG, this competition is one of the most important in European football.

Fans are now waiting to see how the team performs in their opening match.

The club will hope to start their campaign with a strong result against Slovan Bratislava.

Vocabulary9 words

Champions League
a very important football competition between top European clubs
Slovan Bratislava
a football club; PSG's opponent in this match
Luis Enrique
the head coach of the PSG football team
press conference
an event where someone answers questions from journalists
injury
physical harm; when part of the body does not work well
recruit
a player who has newly joined a team
Marquinhos
a defender who plays for PSG
Ousmane Dembélé
a forward who plays for PSG
Paris Saint-Germain
a famous French football club, also called PSG

Quiz

1. What event is PSG preparing for?
2. What did the medical update reveal?
3. How did Marquinhos describe Ousmane Dembélé?

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

_____ (PSG) are getting ready to start their Champions League campaign.

Their first match will be against _____.

Before the game, coach _____ spoke at a press conference.

He gave journalists information about the team, including a medical update.

According to the update, one new player is still receiving treatment for an _____.

This means the player, called a new _____, will not be available for the match.

PSG defender _____ also spoke to reporters ahead of the game.

He talked about his teammate _____.

Marquinhos described Dembélé as 'a perfect player'.

Marquinhos also expressed excitement about returning to the Champions League.

Discussion questions

  1. Why do you think press conferences before matches are important for football clubs?
  2. What might a medical update tell fans about a team's chances in a game?
  3. Why do you think teammates often praise each other publicly before big matches?
  4. How important do you think the Champions League is compared to domestic leagues?

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