PSG will handle pressure in Champions League final, says skipper Marquinhos

New Straits Times

a day ago

MUNICH, GERMANY: Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos is confident the French side will cope with the pressure in Saturday's Champions League final against Inter Milan and put years of disappointment in the competition behind them by finally lifting the trophy.
"The club has learnt, over time, how to deal with matches like these and what needs to be done," the Brazilian defender told reporters in Munich on the eve of the match.
"A lot has changed at PSG since I arrived. There have been great times and difficult times, but tomorrow (Saturday) we have a glorious opportunity to do something remarkable and historic for this club.
"It will be my second final, and I don't want to let the opportunity pass us by."
PSG's second Champions League final comes five years after a narrow defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich behind closed doors in Lisbon during the pandemic.
Marquinhos, now the elder statesman in the current PSG squad at 31, is one of only two players who featured in the 2020 final and remain at the club – the other is fellow centre-back Presnel Kimpembe, who is now a peripheral figure.
Having been at PSG since 2013, Marquinhos has also endured some humiliating Champions League exits, most notably the infamous collapse against Barcelona in 2017, when they won 4–0 at home in the first leg only to lose 6–1 in the return.
Luis Enrique, who coached Barcelona on that occasion, is now in charge at PSG, overseeing a vibrant young side.
"We have an exceptional coach who has prepared us really well. Even though we're a very young team, you can see how ready we are for matches like these," Marquinhos added.
"I think a combination of factors has brought us here in the best possible condition – the growth of the club, the incredible coach we have, and the quality players who have come in. That's why we are here today."
PSG were knocked out in the semi-finals last season before seeing Kylian Mbappé depart for Real Madrid, but in his absence they have won a domestic league and cup double, also eliminating three Premier League sides – Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal – en route to the final.
"Now is the time to win the trophy and bring it home," added Marquinhos.
Alongside him was Ousmane Dembélé, who has been transformed this season from a winger into a prolific striker, netting 33 goals in all competitions – a return that has made him a candidate for the Ballon d'Or.
"I'm really proud to be here in the final. We've worked so hard," said Dembélé, who was sent off during PSG's 1–0 defeat to Bayern in Munich in the group stage last November.
At that stage, there was a real danger PSG would be eliminated before the knockout rounds, but the turnaround since has been spectacular.
"It wasn't easy at the start of the campaign, but we've changed the dynamic in the second half of the season. It's incredible to be here in Munich for the final. We're filled with joy, even though we're approaching the match with utmost seriousness."
Coach Luis Enrique has the chance to win his second Champions League title, a decade after lifting the trophy with Barcelona.
Then, as now, he faced Italian opposition in Germany, with Barça defeating Juventus in Berlin.
"Now I have 10 years more experience, and I'll simply try to convey to the players what a fantastic opportunity this is for us to play in a Champions League final," said the Spaniard.
"We have the chance to make history – to do something no one has ever done for this club before – but at the same time, we must manage our emotions so they don't overwhelm us.