Paris FC shows promise with Pagis and Matondo in preparation match
Paris FC finished its second preparation match on Friday morning with a 2-2 draw against last season's Serie A fourth‑place side, thanks to a brace from Pablo Pagis (23) and two assists from Rudy Matondo (18). The club, sitting 12th in the final 2025 table with 35 points (8W-11D-10L) and recent form WDWDD, displayed a dynamic attack despite conceding 45 goals this season.
What moments decided the outcome?
The first 30‑minute period saw Pagis, a former Auxerre player, thread a pass to the edge of off‑side that fooled Italian keeper Jean Butez. Five minutes later, a combination with Geubbels led to a Pagis‑Matondo one‑two, breaching Côme's defence. The second period featured numerous substitutions, with only Coppola, Koré and De Smet retained, highlighting squad depth.
Why does this match matter for the upcoming season?
Played in three 30‑minute halves, the preparation match gave manager Liam Rosenior a chance to assess young talents like Matondo and test offensive setups. With 37 goals scored and a -8 goal difference this season, every action matters to climb the table, currently 28 points behind leaders Paris Saint‑Germain.
What’s next for Paris FC?
After the Côme test, the club heads to Adidas' world headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, for an intensive week‑long camp. Training will end with a friendly against Stuttgart before the next official fixture versus Angers (away, 2027‑02‑20), where Paris FC will aim to solidify its 13th‑place standing.
Current club context
In 2025, Paris FC finished 12th in Ligue 1 with 35 points, showing recent form of WDWDD. The team has conceded 45 goals, an area to improve before the new season kicks off. Pagis's brace and Matondo's performances provide positive signs as the squad prepares for upcoming challenges.
