Leonardo fires PSG warning
Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has warned his side are just laying the groundwork for their Ligue 1 revolution as they look to bounce back from their opening round flop against surprise leaders Rennes.
PSG will be among a trio of top-flight heavyweights bidding to kick-start their season after failing to impress in last weekend's curtain raiser.
Despite a French record 80 million euros spent on new signings since their takeover by new Qatari owners this summer PSG fell 1-0 at home against Lorient as champions Lille and runners-up Marseille both had to settle for a point.
PSG face a tricky trip to Rennes, who got their season off to a flying start with a 5-1 hammering of newboys Dijon, with Lille also facing a tough test against Montpellier, 3-1 winners last weekend against Auxerre, who host Marseille.
Despite their lacklustre start, Leonardo backed coach Antoine Kombouare to take the team to a coveted Champions League place, after finishing fourth last season.
"I'm not worried, he (Kombouare) knows the team, the club, the players. He knows that we have to make a leap forward in our mentality," said Leonardo.
"PSG have won just two titles in 41 years. There are not a lot of teams in European capitals in this situation. But things won't change in three days.
"The aim is to be in the Champions League next season. We've built a team to be competitive in France and in the Europa League. We've replaced the players who left and tried to improve the team."
Argentinian midfielder Javier Pastore should make his debut after his record 42-million-euro signing from Palermo.
Rennes have injury concerns following the midweek international programme with France's Yann Mvila doubtful after picking up an ankle injury against Chile, with Norway's Alexander Tettey and Sengalese Kader Mangane also doubtful.
Yacine Brahimi is still uncertain after an injury in the opener against Dijon.
Of the "big four" only Lyon impressed on the opening day with a 3-1 win over Nice, and sitting second behind Rennes they will be looking to keep the momentum going when they host another Corsican side Ajaccio.
They big worry for Lyon coach Remi Garde is whether Brazilian defender Cris will be fit as he recovers from a thigh injury which is also threatening his participation in next week's Champions League play-off against Russian side Rubin Kazan.
Garde is hopeful however that midfielder Michel Bastos will have recovered from a knee injury to play the Corsicans.
Elsewhere Bordeaux travel to Lorient looking for their first points as Saint Etienne and Valenciennes host Nancy and Brest respectively and Caen visit Sochaux.
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