Marco Asensio: "A very important game for the club and the fans"

Marco, you've been in Paris for just over a year. When did you hear people talking about the Classique?

"As soon as I got here! It's one of the things people talk to you about immediately. The date is underlined in the fixture list. They tell you it's a very important match for Paris Saint-Germain, for the whole club, for the fans. Last year, I was fortunate enough to win two Classiques, which was a great experience."

Have your teammates talked to you about it too?

"Yes, everyone! Everyone at the club knows how important it is, how important it is for us, the players. We are going to try and win it. We want the Paris Saint-Germain fans to be proud of us, as was the case last season."

This season, there is the added spice of it being a game between the leaders and the team in third…

"We've seen that Marseille have strengthened well, and that they want to challenge for the title. We are aware that it makes the game all the more important. Not only because it's a Classique, but also because they're direct title rivals. We are 100% ready and want to win this match. Firstly, because it's a Classique, but also because it's very important for the Ligue 1 title race."

What memories do you have of your first Classique in Marseille (a 2-0 Paris win)?

"Very good feelings! We knew that it was going to be a tough game. I think our team was very good, very focussed. We played well and deserved to win. When we returned to Paris, the fans' welcome was incredible and that's something that will live in my memory. It was incredible, to be honest. It's the first time I've experienced something like that. It was a great moment between the fans and the players, and I hope we'll be able to repeat it this year." 

Do you feel the support of the fans?

"Yes, and it's very important. The fans always give us a lot of strength, whether it be at the Parc des Princes or each time we have an away game. There's always a lot of fans. We really feel that support and each victory we get is partly down to them."

At 28, you're one of the most experienced players in the squad. For these high-pressure games, what advice have you got for the younger players?

"They're emotional games, passionate, and you have to try and cut yourself off from the noise around them. You have to tell yourself that it's just another game, even if it's a Classique and a very important match. You have to keep a cool head and do what you always do on the pitch. You have grow little by little as the match goes on, gain in confidence and do what you know how to do. If you do that, I'm sure it'll go very well."