Maghnes akliouche makes unexpected psg debut with super cup win

Wednesday evening marked a historic moment for Maghnes Akliouche as he stepped onto the pitch just days after completing his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. The French international found himself in the starting lineup for the UEFA Super Cup clash against Aston Villa, delivering a performance that caught everyone by surprise—including his own coach.

PSG kicked off their season in style, securing victory in the UEFA Super Cup with goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué. But the real talking point emerged in the team selection, as Akliouche—fresh from his move from AS Monaco—was handed a surprise start. The midfielder didn’t disappoint, commanding the first half before being substituted at halftime for Ousmane Dembélé.

Luis Enrique’s calculated gamble pays off

Luis Enrique, the PSG manager, later revealed that he had deliberately chosen to start Akliouche despite his limited match fitness. « It was his first game with us, and I think he was surprised when he saw his name in the starting XI. But I spoke to him beforehand, telling him, “I know you’re not at your best, but you need to play the first half and I’ll substitute you after.” He was outstanding. He played exactly as he does for Monaco—showing his quality and personality. I’m thrilled for him; he’s won a European trophy. It’s great to see the type of player we’ve signed, and I hope to bring in more who love wearing the PSG shirt and can contribute to the team. »

The coach’s gamble clearly paid off, as Akliouche’s display underlined why PSG moved quickly to secure his services. His energy, technical ability, and composure in midfield left a strong impression, reinforcing the club’s ambition to blend experienced stars with emerging talent.

Akliouche’s emotional first steps in Paris

The young Frenchman didn’t hide his excitement following the match. « I’m over the moon to have made my first minutes in this incredible shirt. I knew I’d only play 45 minutes, so winning my first trophy in a single game is incredible for me. The word that comes to mind is work—hard work and humility. That’s what I’ve seen since I arrived. There’s a hunger to win, and those are the values of PSG and this group. »

His words reflect the club’s culture, where ambition and dedication are prized above all. For a player making such a rapid transition to one of Europe’s elite clubs, his focus remains unwavering: prove his worth every minute on the pitch.

A promising start sets the tone for the season

With PSG already eyeing their next trophy—the Trophée des Champions—Akliouche is determined to build on this breakthrough. « It’s fantastic! We need to keep working until Sunday to go for another title. Work and humility are the two guiding principles. This group is exceptional, and they’ve made me feel incredibly welcome. » He added, « From now on, every training session and match, I’ll give everything for this club and this team. »

The Super Cup triumph may have been a small step, but for Akliouche and PSG, it signals the start of an exciting chapter. As the dust settles on his unexpected debut, one thing is clear: the French midfielder has already made his mark.