Marquinhos: "We have the opportunity to finish with a title"
The Paris Saint-Germain defender and captain answered questions from PSG TV and the media ahead of the Coupe de France final against Olympique Lyonnais, scheduled for 21:00 on Saturday 25 May at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Villeneuve-d'Ascq. Excerpts.
PARIS OUT TO RE-CONQUER THE COUPE
"The Coupe de France is a very important and special competition. Not just for Paris Saint-Germain, but for all French clubs. I've won this trophy several times and I know how beautiful it is. It's a difficult competition to win, and we haven't managed it in recent years. So it's up to us to play the right game tomorrow to win this trophy again."
THE DOUBLE VICTORY OVER OL THIS SEASON
"I think every match has its story. Lyon will doubtless be preparing for this match in the best possible way. We mustn't think that this match will be the same as the two previous ones that have taken place this season, that would be a mistake. Tomorrow we'll be ready for this battle and this final."
PARIS' STRONG FORM AWAY FROM HOME
"This year, we've had a lot of good results away from home in Ligue 1. That's what enabled us to win this latest French league title. How can we explain that? Maybe because the coach used the right strategies at the right time, and we were able to perform when we needed to."
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE
"He's a great player with a lot of quality. I've played against him many times and I know he's dangerous, both outside and inside the box. He's a complete player who brings a lot of experience to his team. Against him, duels are very important because he's a decisive player. That's why I try to perform as well as possible whenever we play against him, so that he doesn't manage to score."
HIS PERSONAL FORM
"It's been a season in which I've enjoyed myself immensely, as part of a close-knit group. Our coach told us that he was relying heavily on experienced players. Throughout the season, I tried to be an example for my team, both in training and in matches. I've worked hard, both at the Campus and at home, to make sure I feel good this season."
THE LAST MATCH OF THE SEASON
"It's been a long season, with lots of matches and long runs in the various competitions. There have been a lot of emotions and a lot of good moments this season. Finishing by playing in a final is the best thing of all. We want to focus on that, we have this opportunity to finish well, with another trophy and celebrate it together one last time this year."
THE PROSPECT OF BECOMING THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PLAYER IN THE HISTORY OF THE COMPETITION
"Winning a title is always a big challenge. I'm not particularly thinking about being the player who wins the most titles, I just want to win because I'm a competitor. If I have the chance to win a title to add to my trophy cabinet and share these moments of joy with my family, my team-mates and the club, then that's what I want. I want to win as many titles as possible, also because it's something important for the club."