Pastore set for Ligue 1 debut with PSG
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Javier Pastore made his anticipated debut for PSG on Thursday, and the $60 million signing is likely to make his first Ligue 1 appearance Sunday at Valenciennes.
Pastore was the prize piece of PSG's more than $100 million offseason makeover and he helped the club to a 4-0 win over Luxembourg's Differdange on Thursday. Now, PSG will try to earn its first win of the young French season.
"I'm very happy, I think I played an excellent match. I haven't yet reached the end of my preseason preparations, but tonight was a good start," Pastore said. "I'm happy with the win. I feel great in Paris and I've settled into the squad well."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}PSG lost its opener at home to Lorient, tied Rennes last week, and is already five points off the pace of four perfect teams after two weeks of the season.
Sporting director Leonardo acknowledged the slow start but felt the team would come together as the new players settled in, especially Pastore. Pastore had a pair of assists in the Europa match.
"We have some players who returned to training later than others. I think what they showed tonight was positive," Leonardo said after the Europa League game.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We're still working hard; the players are making progress in terms of their physical condition and are getting close to being in peak form. There is a considerable sporting project under way at this club. We're in no rush."
Rennes also started its Europa League series with a 2-1 win over Serbia's Red Star Belgrade, and will try to build on a win and a draw in Ligue 1 on Sunday at Montpellier, which has won its first two games
Sochaux settled for a 0-0 draw against Ukraine side Metalist, and will search for its first win in France on Sunday at Nancy. Marseille hosts St. Etienne in Sunday's other match, when it will try for its third win of the season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Toulouse and Caen, the other perfect teams through two weeks, play Saturday as Toulouse visits Nice and Caen hosts winless defending champion Lille.
Also Saturday, Bordeaux hosts Auxerre, Brest hosts Lyon, Dijon hosts Lorient, and Ajaccio hosts Evian.