Irvine, United States: Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma warned Wednesday that the newly crowned European champions were “hungry” for more success at the Club World Cup as they prepared to face Brazil´s Botafogo.
The French giants launched their Group B campaign in impressive style on Sunday, sweeping aside Atletico Madrid 4-0 at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. The victory marked a seamless entrance to the tournament for PSG, a little over two weeks after their 5-0 drubbing of Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final.
Italy´s Donnarumma said the team were intently focused on winning a fifth piece of silverware this season after starting the tournament “the same way we finished” the Champions League. “The Club World Cup is a very important competition for us, we must continue to remain 100 percent focused to reach the final and the trophy,” the goalkeeper told reporters ahead of Thursday´s clash with Botafogo at the Rose Bowl.
“Everyone is hungry for victories, to win titles; it´s important for now and for next year,” he added after training at the University of California. Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz said that PSG were comfortable with being tournament favourites.
“It´s positive if everyone is talking about us, isn´t it?” he said. “For our game, what we´re doing. But we don´t feel that pressure, we don´t think about that, but rather about the next match.”
PSG´s opponents Botafogo reached the Club World Cup by winning the Copa Libertadores for the first time in 2024. The Brazilian side opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders on Sunday.
PSG´s Portugal international striker Goncalo Ramos said Botafogo were an unknown quantity. “I know them a little, I know the coach, but I don´t watch many of their matches because they play late. But they´re a good team, it´s different for us to play against a team from Brazil,” Ramos said. After Thursday´s game at the Rose Bowl, PSG will travel north to Seattle for their final group match against the Sounders on Monday.
