The ocean air inspires Julian Draxler. The German striker (or attacking midfielder) from PSG, 28, on loan to Benfica Lisbon for this season, opened his goal counter during the Lisboetes’ wide 5-0 success against Maritimo, in a match of the 7th day Sunday.
Entering in the 68th minute, Draxler scored goal number 5 in a victory already largely won, but the German striker showed off his know-how. Served on the left of the opposing area, the Parisian chained two hooks, then fired a powerful shot in the opposite corner. Draxler thus worsened the score that his teammates Rafa Silva (28th), Gonçalo Ramos (47th, 64th) and David Neres (82nd) had already generously advanced in favor of Benfica, leader of La Liga Portugal.
With seven victories out of seven, the Lisbon club is in command of the Portuguese championship with 2 points ahead of Braga, 2nd, and 5 over Porto, 3rd. In the Champions League, Benfica has also been a hit so far with two victories over Maccabi Haifa (2-0), then over Juventus in Turin (2-1).
After the international break, Benfica and PSG have a double meeting which will certainly decide the first place in group H, Wednesday October 5 at the Luz stadium, then at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday 11.
Linked to PSG until the end of the 2024 season, Draxler, 198 games with PSG for 28 goals, had not scored since September 25, 2021, on the occasion of PSG’s victory against Montpellier (2- 0). His last outing in the Parisian jersey dates back to March 20, against Monaco. Under the leadership of Pochettino, the striker played relatively little: only 8 starts for 24 appearances in total. Then, Christophe Galtier explicitly let it be known that Draxler would not enter into his plans. Also, the striker has taken the direction of Lisbon, in the form of a loan, for the duration of the current season.
The amount of the interim amounts to 2.5 M€, it being understood that the PSG supports 80% of the salary of the 2014 world champion (58 selections / 7 goals). Draxler is the highest paid player in the Portuguese league, according to Sabado magazine, with an estimated monthly salary of €583,300 per month.