Verratti warns PSG they can have 'no excuses' after Man Utd clash

 

Marco Verratti has described Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League clash with Manchester United as a "final", warning his team-mates they can have "no excuses" come full-time.

Last year's beaten finalists travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday having picked up just six points from their four Group H games.

That leaves them level with RB Leipzig and three points behind leaders United, who only need a draw to qualify for the last 16.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have won their last seven European games at home, scoring 24 goals and conceding just two.

And Verratti, whose only appearance in this season's competition was as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Leipzig last week, acknowledged PSG will have to be at their best to get anything out of the game.

"It's a final," he told a media conference. "I think everyone is looking forward to playing this game. We will play in a big stadium, against a big team and against big players.

"It will be necessary to pass this step. We have everything to have a good match and it will be necessary to show it on the field by making individual and collective efforts. We will have to play at 150 per cent because they too must win.

"There is always pressure at a big club like PSG. All the matches are important. We have already lost two during the group stage and we must not lose a third. You have to be confident, give your all on the pitch and we'll see the result.

"In all games it's a little difficult at the moment, but it is the case for all the teams. We had a difficult time for a lot of reasons, but we have to forget all that.

"We don't want to find excuses. We have to win tomorrow. We will play against a great team and we have to go for this victory. And for that, it will be necessary to be perfect on an individual and collective level."

PSG head coach Thomas Tuchel goes into the game under pressure, with his side losing two and drawing one of their past five games.

Verratti, though, is in no doubt about the German's ability and believes it is only a matter of time before he steers the Ligue 1 champions back to top form.

"I had the chance to be coached by great coaches like [Laurent] Blanc and [Carlo] Ancelotti," the Italy international said.

"Tuchel brought us to the Champions League final and he wasn't far off making us champions. We won all four national titles last season as well. We couldn't do better.

"He has a very good character. From the outside it may seem easy, but from the inside it is not always. He managed to create a good rapport with us.

"On the field, we also showed good things. The supporters were able to be proud of us last season. We haven't lost our football.

"We had problems, but now it's over. We have to show it tomorrow and I hope we will go far this year again."