Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos has expressed confidence that his side is ready to conquer the pressure and seize a historic victory in Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan. The Brazilian defender believes PSG have matured as a club and are better equipped to handle the high-stakes occasion.
“The club has learnt as time has gone on about how to deal with games like these, what it needs to do,” Marquinhos told reporters during a pre-match press conference in Munich. “It will be my second final and I don’t want to let the opportunity pass us by.”
PSG’s appearance in the final comes five years after their heartbreaking loss to Bayern Munich in the 2020 final, played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe are the only players remaining from that squad, though Kimpembe is now a peripheral figure.
The 31-year-old centre-back, a PSG stalwart since 2013, has experienced both triumphs and painful setbacks in Europe, including the infamous 2017 collapse against Barcelona. Ironically, PSG’s current manager Luis Enrique was on the Barcelona bench that night and now guides a youthful but rejuvenated PSG squad.
“We have a coach who is exceptional and has prepared us really well,” Marquinhos added. “The club has grown, we have quality players, and now is the time to get the trophy and bring it home.”
PSG reached the final after an impressive run that included eliminating three Premier League sides—Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal. This success came despite the high-profile departure of Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid last summer. In his absence, Ousmane Dembélé has emerged as a prolific force, scoring 33 goals in all competitions and becoming a Ballon d’Or contender.
“I am really proud to be here in the final. We have worked so hard,” Dembélé said. “It wasn’t easy at the start of the campaign, but we changed the dynamic in the second half of the season. Now, we feel lots of joy and determination.”
Coach Luis Enrique, who lifted the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, now has a shot at a second European crown, once again facing an Italian opponent in Germany.
“We have the opportunity to make history, to do something nobody else has ever done for this club,” said Enrique. “But we must manage our emotions. I believe we’re prepared and Inter are too. It will be a great final, and of course, the goal is to win it.”
PSG fans now wait anxiously to see if their club can finally lift the elusive Champions League trophy and cement their place among Europe’s elite.
Written By Rodney Mbua
