Verratti “pained” after Kimpembe’s injury at OM-PSG

Marco Verratti (PSG midfielder, after the 3-0 victory over OM ) : «It was an important match, in a difficult period as well. Marseille is our historic rival, and it was important for the championship because there was only a five-point gap before the match. We knew that to win here, we would have to play a big game at all levels. We deserved this win. We are very happy with the result and the way. A win that feels good to the head? Yes, winning is always good, especially against OM. We are very happy, there was a lot of joy in the locker room. Now we come to a decisive moment of the season. It’s a victory that gives confidence because it’s hard to play here, they put a lot of pressure and that makes for a big championship. (…) During the match lost in the Coupe de France, we missed Kylian (Mbappé). And facing a team that defends so high, with so much space, without a deep player, it was hard. Afterwards, we had to win as many duels as possible, we knew that OM are often one-on-one. We had lost a lot of duels and defended very low in the Coupe de France. There, we defended higher, with depth, intensity, we won a lot of duels.

The record of Mbappé, co-top scorer of the club with Cavani? It makes everyone happy, everyone who loves football, to see a player like that on the pitch. I am very happy for him because he is still young but he has already done a lot. We are very happy, he deserves all this. Kimpembe’s injury? It hurts… Kim worked very hard, we saw him working six, seven hours a day to come back. He came back. We were very happy because he is an essential player in this team, a defender who has everything, who defends very well and is comfortable with the ball. It hurts. This victory is also for him. He asked us at the break. We are happy to give him this little gift in an evening in the form of a nightmare for him. The championship closed? No, there are still a lot of matches left but it was an important victory, we have a good advantage. It is up to us to maintain this gap. For that, you have to win the matches that are coming. Eight points is a good advantage. You have to play well.»

Comments collected in the mixed zone