Marquinhos Vows To Fight For Champions League Glory Against Inter After Previous Defeat

Add as a preferred source on Google

Paris Saint-Germain's captain, Marquinhos, is determined to secure the Champions League title after previously experiencing defeat in the final. He was part of the PSG squad that lost to Bayern Munich in 2020. Now, he has another chance at European success against Inter on Saturday. The Brazilian has been vital for Luis Enrique's team this season, contributing to their Ligue 1 and Coupe de France victories.

Inter Milan has relied heavily on experienced players in this Champions League campaign. They have given 43.3% of their minutes to players aged 30 or older, second only to Atletico Madrid's 43.5%. This amounts to 6,151 minutes, the most since Juventus' 6,186 minutes in the 2016-17 season. PSG's Marquinhos is the sole player over 30 who has played all of his team's 1,350 minutes.

Reflecting on his journey, Marquinhos stated, "We've been through highs, we've been through lows." He emphasised the significance of the upcoming match: "Tomorrow we've got a beautiful opportunity. We could go down in history." He is resolute about not letting this chance slip away without a fight.

PSG faced challenges earlier in the competition and were at risk of missing out on the knockout stages. They struggled initially with three losses and one draw in their first five games. However, victories against Red Bull Salzburg, Manchester City, and Stuttgart propelled them to finish 15th in the league phase.

The club aims to end its long wait for a Champions League trophy. PSG has played 167 matches without winning the European Cup/UEFA Champions League since its inception in 1955. Only Arsenal (211), Dynamo Kyiv (185), and Atletico Madrid (176) have played more games without securing the title.

A victory on Saturday would set a new record for most games before winning their first trophy in this competition. Currently, Manchester City holds this record with 116 games before their triumph against Inter in their 117th match in 2023.

Marquinhos expressed confidence ahead of the final: "We're going to pull out the performance of a lifetime tomorrow on the pitch because it will be very difficult." He acknowledged their struggles throughout the season but highlighted that reaching this stage is a testament to their efforts.

Final Push for Victory

"This is the best moment of our season," Marquinhos added. "It's that cherry on top, and it's up to us now." The team is focused on bringing home silverware to share with fans who have supported them throughout the season.

As they prepare for Saturday's showdown at Allianz Arena, time is crucial for PSG as they aim to claim victory and bring joy back to Paris with a coveted Champions League trophy.