England's post-Kane era finally looks far more rosy

Santos, Doak & eight best Premier League loanees of the season

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Why Man Utd & Liverpool both want Argentine teen Soler

Top 25 African players of the 21st century - ranked

How to watch Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson from anywhere

‘Like if Argentina turned on Messi’ – Could Mbappe retire?

Pogba becomes a free agent after Juventus contract termination

Amorim explains why Ronaldo called him a 'poet'

Vini's nightmare goes on as Brazil drop more WCQ points

Where's Leo?! Messi invisible as Argentina upset by Paraguay

Coote accused of arranging 'drugs party' before Carabao Cup tie

'Be very careful' - Injured Yamal sent warning by De la Fuente

The size of Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe problem was made clear in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Inter in Tokyo, with Luis Enrique's toothless team failing to make the most of their dominance without their talismanic forward.PSG were the better side for 80 minutes, dominating possession for the most part, but only led because of a sensational 30-yard strike from Vitinha that came out of nowhere.The French champions then collapsed, conceding two quick goals, to Sebastiano Esposito and Stefano Sensi, to leave Luis Enrique in no doubt that a swift resolution to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/back-off-psg-report-real-madrid-fifa-160m-transfer-agreement-kylian-mbappe/bltf07904ac60ac0aeb" target="_blank">the Mbappe transfer saga</a> required if the new manager is to start the season with a reliable goalscorer.<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>GOAL looks at what we learned during the clash at the Japan National Stadium...

Come back, Kylian! Six things we learned as PSG miss Mbappe in friendly loss to Inter

PSG's defensive deficiencies have been repeatedly exposed in Europe in recent seasons. After all, it doesn't help when you have three forwards unwilling to track back. PSG have also proven desperately vulnerable from a mental perspective, infamously capitulating at the first sign of trouble - and they certainly went to pieces in the closing stages here. But that was only after making changes to what undeniably has the makings pretty formidable back four.That's thanks in no small part to Inter, of course. Two years after signing Achraf Hakimi from the cash-strapped Nerazzurri, PSG have now picked up Milan Skriniar - only this time for nothing. The Slovakian started alongside Marquinhos here, with Lucas Hernandez at left-back and Hakimi taking up his usual berth on the right flank, and proving a typically tremendous outlet. Skriniar isn't quite up to speed yet - he was given a bit of bother by Marcus Thuram at one point during the first half - but his lack of match sharpness is hardly surprising given the injury issues which saw him miss the second half of last season. But there's no reason why he shouldn't slot as seamlessly into this side as Hakimi. Furthermore, if the versatile left-back Hernandez manages to stay fit - and that is a big 'if' admittedly - PSG really will have a defence with no obvious flaws, given Marquinhos and Hakimi are two of the best players in the world in their respective positions.

PSG have the makings of a formidable back four

The defence should also be significantly aided by the addition of Manuel Ugarte to the midfield. The Uruguayan's €60 million transfer from Sporting CP may not have generated a massive amount of hype in Paris, but he could prove one of the most important signings PSG have made in years. At the very least, his arrival appears to signify an important - and long overdue - shift in the club's transfer policy, away from superstars and more towards specialists.Ugarte certainly looked like he will have a huge role to play in the 2023-24 campaign, looking right at home in Luis Enrique's line-up, linking well with Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha. The 22-year-old broke up several Inter attacks while he also used the ball brilliantly, the pick of his passes a lovely lofted the ball into the area for Carlos Soler that ended with Marcos Asensio hitting the post.It was also no coincidence that Inter suddenly started finding space in between the lines as soon Ugarte was removed from the action. His importance to this side should only grow in the coming weeks and months.

Ugarte already looks right at home

Inter's need for a proven, top-class goalkeeper is pressing following Andre Onana's summer move to Manchester United, and the expectation is that they'll sign Yann Sommmer and/or Anatoliy Trubin. The latter might not arrive until next year, though, meaning other short-term solutions are being explored.However, in Filip Stankovic - son of Inter legend Dejan - the club clearly has a goalkeeper of enormous potential on their hands. The 21-year-old appears to have benefited enormously from a couple of seasons on loan at Volendam, whom he helped secure promotion to the Eredivisie.Stankovic made a number of good saves, while there was absolutely nothing he could have done about Vitinha's goal. Perhaps most importantly of all, though, he also looked very comfortable with the ball at his feet. He's still very young, of course, and might be sent out on loan again this season but, no matter what happens, Stankovic looks like he has a future at San Siro.

Stankovic's son has a bright future

It's fair to say that Vitinha didn't have the best debut campaign at Parc des Princes. There were constant doubts over whether he was really good enough for a team trying desperately to win the Champions League. Kylian Mbappe certainly didn't appear convinced of Vitinha's qualities, infamously turning his back on the play after being ignored by the Portuguese during one passage of play against Montpellier last August.However, Vitinha could be set for a more productive second season, with the 23-year-old netting for the second consecutive pre-season game. It was a stunning strike too. Soler picked up a loose ball in midfield and found Vitinha, who beat Stankovic with a thumping drive from distance.

Vitinha stepping up 

Despite having Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram up front, Inter lacked a serious goal threat for the majority of this match. However, the introduction of David Frattesi changed everything, with the summer signing from Sassuolo creating two goals in three minutes.In the first instance, he timed his pass to perfection before releasing Esposito, who finished calmly and precisely. Then, with Inter's very next breakaway, Frattesi surged forward before squaring for Sensi to score at the back post.The Nerazzurri had to fight hard to sign the Italy international, who was also wanted by AC Milan among others, but he could prove a bargain buy, given he's arrived initially on loan with an obligation to buy for €28m next year.

Frattesi already making his presence felt

Nobody would dispute that PSG have erred badly over the past five years by investing so heavily in high-profile players, particularly from an offensive perspective. However, what's been made painfully clear in pre-season is that the team is now seriously lacking star quality up front.Lionel Messi has already left, Mbappe could well follow him out the door, while Neymar was an unused substitute here. The net result was PSG looking devoid of a real cutting edge in Tokyo.Granted, Soler was arguably the liveliest attacker on the pitch, while Asensio linked well with those around him and was unlucky to see his first-half effort come back off the post.But it's obvious that PSG can't leave Luis Enrique relying on the former Real Madrid winger for goals this season. Indeed, one could argue that even if Mbappe doesn't leave, the Ligue 1 titleholders desperately need a prolific No.9 if they are to have any chance of finally winning the Champions League.

PSG lacking star quality

Come back, Kylian! Six things we learned as PSG miss Mbappe in friendly loss to Inter | Goal.com English Bahrain

Paris Saint-Germain&apos;s 2-1 loss to Inter in Tokyo on Tuesday hammered home the fact that new manager Luis Enrique needs a new No.9 before the new season begins