Paris Saint-Germain are ready to give 110 per cent to beat Barcelona in the Champions League last 16, defender Marquinhos has said.
Unai Emery s side warmed up for Tuesday s clash at Parc des Princes with a commanding 3-0 Ligue 1 victory over Bordeaux on Friday, which came courtesy of a double from Edinson Cavani and a goal from Angel Di Maria.
With PSG on a run of four wins in a row in all competitions, Marquinhos believes they are in good shape to take on a team who knocked them out of Europe s top competition in 2013 and 2015.
These are matches where you play the details, said the centre-back, as quoted by L Equipe. You have to be at 110 per cent and you can t make mistakes.
On the other hand, they have a team with players who can make a huge difference.
We ll rely on our supporters, we ll try to be at 110 per cent. We have to play the match of our life.
We know they re a very high-level team. For us defenders, it s a great test.
Asked about the form of Cavani, who has now scored 25 goals in Ligue 1 this season, he said: Cavani is in great shape but it s the collective that makes the difference. There were a lot of chances from the last game but the level of the team doesn t change.
9 have won more games (9) and scored more goals (29) in all comps than any other side from the Top 5 leagues in 2017. Ready.
— OptaJean (@OptaJean)
Full-back Thomas Meunier believes PSG proved they will be a handful for Barca with the adaptability they showed in Friday s victory.
I think it was a good preparation for Barca. We saw an in-form PSG who were good at the back, switched things up by playing long and short. It was a good performance and it bodes well for Tuesday, he said.
There s no hierarchy for places on the pitch. Everyone works hard in training for places. It doesn t matter if it s me or Serge Aurier against Barca, it s the team that comes first.
We have a similar style of play to Barca, we have a possession-style and a lot of quality individuals. We ll certainly have our chance.
Marco Verratti marked his first Ligue 1 start since January 21 with an accomplished display and he set up Di Maria s goal with a fine throughball.
I want to thank the medical staff and the coaching staff, said the Italy international. At first, I didn t think I d be there [against Bordeaux].
Everything went well. I feel really good. I ve worked a lot. I feel ready for the match.
