Kombouare wary of confident Salzburg

Paris Saint German coach Antoine Kombouare is expecting a tough first up assignment against Red Bull Salburg in the Europa League on Thursday.

With the backing of Qatari investors expectations are high in the French capital this season, with the likes of Javier Pastore, Kevin Gameiro, Jeremy Menez and Blaise Matuidi brought in during the recent transfer window.

But opening Europa League opponents Salzburg are unbeaten at the top of the Austrian Bundesliga and Kombouare admits it will be a tough game in Paris.

“(Salzburg) have many internationals, and many very good players. They are also a great team on paper,” Kombouare said.

“I have to look at their results over the last three years, they were twice champions and finished second last season behind Sturm Graz.”

“This year after seven games, they are top with four victories and three draws so they are still unbeaten and are clearly a team with confidence.”

“It is also a team who won more games away from home than at home, so we shall have to be cautious. In any case, we expect to play a good team, who are used to playing in the Europa League.”

New owners the Qatar Investment Authority have invested millions of dollars into the club since taking over in May, but Kombouare warned money alone would not bring success.

“If you looked last year, we played with not enough resources on all the fronts. We played all the competitions with the aim to go as far as possible,” he said.

“We ended fourth in the championship, the round of 16 of the Europa League, got to the final in the French Cup and semi-finals in the League Cup.”

“So this season, with more important investment, we have the right to say that we can make better.”

“But it is necessary to see the hunger of everyone, it is for what I expect from my players tomorrow by entering the Europa League. We need the victory because we have lot of ambition.”