PSG defender Marquinhos claims they ‘are in the best condition’ ahead of Champions League showdown with Atalanta tonight after Ligue 1 season finished four months ago
- PSG face Atalanta in Champions League quarter-final in Lisbon on Wednesday
- Parisians last played league game four months ago after Ligue 1 was cancelled
- Marquinhos says they have trained in the best way possible ahead of crucial tie
Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos says his side have ‘prepared in the best way possible’ for their Champions League quarter-final against Atalanta despite the Ligue 1 season finishing over four months ago.
PSG will be relatively thrown straight into the deep end in this crucial one-legged last eight tie having not had a league campaign to play, unlike their Serie A opponents.
The Parisians have had two competitive ties recently though in their triumphant French Cup and League Cup Finals, meaning they are going for their fourth title this season in the Champions League after also being awarded the Ligue 1 crown.
Marquinhos says Paris Saint-Germain are ‘in the best condition’ for their tie with Atalanta
The Paris side have relied on training to prepare for the Champions League quarter-final clash having not played in the league for four months, unlike their Serie A opponents
It means that, other than friendlies against Le Havre, Celtic and Sochaux, they have relied heavily on training to prepare themselves for the tie, and the Brazilian defender is confident the side have approached sessions in the right way.
‘I think the squad have prepared in the best way possible with motivation, with enthusiasm – we’ve had good training sessions,’ Marquinhos said at a press conference.
‘I think we are in the best condition. We are ready to play this big match, calm, with enthusiasm, with bravery. We are going to put in all the ingredients for a good match.’
PSG did play two finals last month, winning French Cup (pictured) and French League Cup
Their opponents at the Estadio da Luz, Atalanta, have been the surprise package this season, with their attacking approach seeing them get the better of Valencia 8-4 in the previous round and finishing an impressive third in Serie A.
The Italian side will be no pushovers for the side from the French capital, who are desperate to claim their first Champions League title in their history after heavy investment in recent times.
They will have to face this tie without Marco Verratti after the midfielder suffered a calf injury in training, meaning former Manchester United man Ander Herrera will likely take his place.
Ander Herrera is expected to come in for the injured Marco Verratti for the tie in Lisbon
Kylian Mbappe (L) and Neymar (R) will hope to inspire PSG to their first Champions League title
‘Ander is a very good player, who is used to big matches. He’s a player who isn’t afraid of a fight, of giving everything for the team’, Marquinhos added on his Spanish team-mate.
‘He’s the kind of player you want on your side. In all the matches he’s played, he’s shown his quality.’
This year’s Champions league will conclude as a mini-tournament, with all seven remaining games taking place across two stadiums in Lisbon in just 12 days, starting tonight.
Manager Thomas Tuchel will hope fleet-footed forward Kylian Mbappe will be at his disposal for tonight’s encounter after recovering from an ankle injury.