Illia Zabarnyi Shines in PSG Debut with Promising Performance Against Nantes

Illia Zabarnyi made his highly anticipated debut in Ligue 1 yesterday, showcasing his talents as a central defender for PSG in a match against FC Nantes, which ended in a narrow 1-0 victory.

Having not been selected for the UEFA Super Cup match in Udine but traveling with the squad, Zabarnyi had only observed his teammates during their game against Tottenham on Wednesday. However, Sunday marked the beginning of his journey with Paris Saint-Germain, as coach Luis Enrique entrusted him with a starting role against Nantes at the Beaujoire Stadium. The Ukrainian defender impressed with a promising performance alongside Lucas Beraldo, demonstrating his athletic abilities and strength in duels, earning praise from Enrique.

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“His technical and physical condition is perfect for the style of play I prefer. He is comfortable with the ball and generally wins duels without it. He had a very good match,” said the Spanish manager in the post-match press conference.

Illia Zabarnyi shares his thoughts

In an interview with Ligue 1+, Zabarnyi expressed his excitement about playing in France following PSG’s victory. “I had a lot of fun. I felt quite good. The supporters were there and kept singing. I don’t know my teammates for very long, but there are incredible players. The negotiations took a long time for me, and I am happy to be here. Everyone is trying to create the best conditions for me, and everything is going well. It’s a big club, and I need to win every duel and every ball. I feel there is a gap compared to my previous club, Bournemouth. But I thrive under pressure; it helps me grow and improve. My goal is to help my club and teammates, to fight for them in the Champions League or elsewhere,” he stated. Zabarnyi’s next challenge awaits on Friday against Angers, with a potential first appearance at Parc des Princes.