Marco Asensio believes he “has plenty to offer” Paris Saint-Germain of their newest bid for a maiden Champions League title, having beforehand lifted the trophy thrice with Real Madrid.
The 28-year-old joined PSG on a free switch from Madrid in the summertime however missed greater than two months of motion with a foot harm.
He has been a key participant because the winter break, although, beginning the final three Ligue 1 matches and scoring twice.
PSG host Real Sociedad within the Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday, hoping to keep away from a 3rd straight exit from the competitors within the first knock-out spherical.
Asensio is aware of what it takes to go all the best way, having received the title in 2017, 2018 and 2022 with Real, scoring within the last seven years in the past in opposition to Juventus.
“My football, my experience and my leadership,” he instructed AFP when requested what he brings to a younger PSG facet rebuilding after the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar.
“I’ve been in the football world for a long time, I’ve had my share of success and I believe I have a lot to offer.
“I can be an example and a source of inspiration for the club’s young players.”
PSG are nonetheless ready to raise the European Cup for the primary time, regardless of reaching the knock-out section in 12 consecutive seasons beneath their Qatari house owners.
A entrance three of Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe couldn’t ship the trophy.
Asensio was one in all 13 new signings within the close-season, together with fellow forwards Goncalo Ramos, Randal Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembele and Lee Kang-in.
The Spain worldwide is assured the new-look squad, beneath new coach Luis Enrique, can compete within the latter phases of Europe’s largest membership competitors.
“With the club, the staff and the players, we are on the right track, united, and I believe that we will accomplish great things,” he added.
“We all get along well and we are very ambitious. We have already won a title (the Champions’ Trophy) and soon, in a very short period, the league, the French Cup and the Champions League, all three very important, will be decided.
“We aim to win all the competitions we compete in.”
Luis Enrique ‘very demanding’
Former Spain and Barcelona boss Luis Enrique took over earlier than the beginning of the season and PSG have steadily improved following a sluggish begin to the marketing campaign.
The reigning French champions seem set to comfortably defend their league title, sitting 11 factors away from second-placed Nice on the high of the desk.
PSG edged by means of their Champions League group as runners-up behind Borussia Dortmund, and are unbeaten in 16 video games in all competitions since a loss to AC Milan in November.
“The relationship is good,” Asensio stated of enjoying beneath his ex-Spain boss Luis Enrique.
“After working with him for the national team, I already knew his working method, what he expects from the team and what he asks of each player.
“He is a very demanding coach, and to tell the truth one of the best I have ever had, in terms of his discipline and his professionalism, his standards towards himself and towards us.”
PSG prevented Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester City, who’ve every knocked them out over the previous three seasons, within the last-16 draw regardless of failing to win Group F.
But Asensio warned his teammates to keep away from any complacency in opposition to Real Sociedad, who haven’t reached the quarter-finals since 1983.
“The matches will be difficult,” stated Asensio. “La Real is a team that I know well, they play very good football, very effective…
“It will be a complicated two-legged tie, but we will do our best to try to beat them and qualify.”
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated news company feed – AFP)
Source: www.news18.com
