Luis Enrique is confident that Paris Saint-Germain's 3-1 win against Lille will stand them in good stead ahead of their quest for Champions League glory.
The Spaniard watched on as his side took their scoring to 13 from their first three Ligue 1 games and maintaining PSG's perfect start to the campaign.
Vitinha's penalty and Bradley Barcola's strike gave the visitors an advantage at the break, with Randal Kolo Muani scoring in second-half injury time to confirm the win after Edon Zhegrova had halved the deficit.
The Parisiens enter the international break two points clear of Marseille at the summit, but their attention will quickly to the Champions League later this month.
Enrique's side have been handed a difficult draw for the competition, squaring off against European heavyweights Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid as their standout encounters.
They kickstart their campaign against Girona on September 18, with the PSG head coach confident that their victory over Lille, who will also compete in the competition this season, was a good test for his players.
"It was an away game against a team who play in the Champions League, who have already played several games and have a very different rhythm to us," Luis Enrique said.
"It was a very good test for us, it was a Champions League match for us. I'm pretty happy with the team's performance."
The revamped Champions League format has been extended to 36 teams this season, with each playing eight fixtures in the first round of the competition.
PSG return from the international break with a fixture against another Champions League hopeful, Brest, four days before they begin their journey for that elusive maiden European title.
"There's the match against Brest after the break and that will have nothing to do with the Champions League and its new format," Enrique said.
"I can't know what that will be like. My team is showing signs of confidence but we still lack physical rhythm in several of our players.
"The Champions League is very different and full of new things."
De Bruyne: No talks to leave Man City
Kevin De Bruyne has said he has not held any talks over leaving Manchester City.
De Bruyne has helped City make a perfect start in their quest to win a fifth straight Premier League title.
However, the Belgium playmaker was linked with a move away from the club over the summer, amid reported interest from Saudi Arabia.
De Bruyne had previously claimed he was "open to anything" ahead of his 10th season with City.
But speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after City's 3-1 win over West Ham, De Bruyne said: "I haven't spoken to anyone, to be honest.
"There has been a lot of noise and news. I expected a quiet summer and that's actually what happened.
"I went on holiday for four weeks, came back and started training. That was it. Nothing to tell.
"I've not been entertained by anybody or spoken to anybody."
However, De Bruyne is anticipating to hold talks with the club as he is now into the final year of his deal.
"Once the season goes on, I'm sure there will be conversations to be had with City," he said.
"I just want to feel good, play good football and this will come in the upcoming months. I don't really feel the rush for the moment."
De Bruyne has scored one goal and set up another across City's opening three league matches of 2024-25, and leads the top flight for expected assists (xA) with 1.6, while he has also created 11 chances, tied for third in the division along with Cole Palmer.
Van Hecke receives maiden Netherlands call-up for Nations League fixtures
Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke has received his first call-up to the Netherlands squad to replace Micky van de Ven for their upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Van de Ven was seen in training with Tottenham Hotspur this week, but Ange Postecoglou did not include him in his squad for their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United.
A knee injury sustained in Spurs' 4-0 win over Everton last time has forced Van de Ven to withdraw, with the Dutch football association confirming he was not match fit.
But Ronald Koeman has a dependable replacement in Van Hecke, who has impressed for the Seagulls this season under new head coach Fabian Hurzeler.
His 222 successful passes this season is a total only bettered by defensive partner Lewis Dunk (233), while he has also won 15 of his 26 contested duels.
The Netherlands kickstart their Nations League campaign against Bosnia & Herzegovina on Saturday before facing Germany in Amsterdam three days later.
Guardiola delivers Foden blow to England boss Carsley
Phil Foden is unlikely to link up with the England squad due to illness, according to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Foden, who scooped the PFA's Player of the Year last month, has played just 45 minutes this season in City's 2-0 win over Chelsea on the opening day of the campaign.
The 24-year-old had been called up by new England interim boss Lee Carsley for the Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
But Guardiola believes the midfielder will not be fit enough to link up with his national side, saying after their win over West Ham: “I don’t think so right now.
“I think he will not go but I don’t know. He doesn’t feel well. But national teams, they decide.
“He doesn’t feel good. It’s his stomach, a little virus. But the people said with antibiotics and so on he will be fine.”
Foden’s absence from the England squad will be the second notable name to miss out from their Euro 2024 squad, with Jude Bellingham nursing a calf injury.
The City man enjoyed a stellar season under Guardiola last term, producing 39 goal involvements (27 goals and 12 assists) in all competitions.
But that form failed to transpire during Gareth Southgate's tenure, further highlighted by not registering a goal or an assist for the Three Lions at their most recent tournament.
Foden's best position within the England squad has been the centre of attention in recent seasons, often operating out wide rather than centrally where he has proved to be more effective for his club.
He has made 41 appearances for England but scored just four goals, with his last strike for his country coming in an international friendly against Scotland last year.
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