Marco Verratti reveals how Christophe Galtier has changed PSG after their hard-fought 2-1 win over Juventus and got them working together, while he’d ‘bet my house’ on Sergio Ramos getting into that row with Leandro Paredes.

The Parisians started their Champions League campaign with a show of strength, beating the Bianconeri 2-1 with an early brace from Kylian Mbappé, although Weston McKennie’s header did get the Italians back into it.

Gianluigi Donnarumma had to make a couple of very tough saves on Arkadiusz Milik and Dusan Vlahovic headers.

Italy international Verratti is at the centre of the PSG midfield, though this was the first time in his career he had ever played against Juventus.

“We are happy to be back in this competition, the Champions League is always something different. Up against a strong opponent like Juve, we knew that we’d suffer to get the three points,” Verratti told Sky Sport Italia and Mediaset.

“It was a good first half, we struggled a bit more in the second, perhaps because Juve relaxed a bit and then started to believe after their goal. They are a great team, but we worked together to bring home the result.”

It was another show from the trio upfront, as Mbappé combined with Neymar and Lionel Messi.

“It’s always a pleasure to watch them play, to train alongside them and you never get used to it. This is what football is for, to see play like this.

“The first goal was special, with Neymar’s assist and the volley, while the second was really well-worked too.”

Paris Saint-Germain won Ligue 1 last season, but their celebrations were abandoned by large sections of the fans, who walked out of the stadium in protest at their poor Champions League showing.

“It’s part of football, the crowd have every right to say what they think. Football would be nothing without fans, so they can do what they want. They weren’t happy and let us know, but they expect goals, beautiful football and for us to fight for every ball, so that’s what we want too.”

Christophe Galtier was brought in to take on the poisoned chalice of managing PSG and Verratti fully admits this is not an easy job for anyone to corral all these stars into a cohesive unit.

“The coach is very intelligent. This is quite a tough team to coach, he made it clear to everyone that there is only one objective, which is to win, play together, enjoy our football and make it a team sport.

“To have a great season we need everyone, whether we have the ball or not, whether they are on the bench or on the field.

“Telling Messi what position to hold and where to pass is tricky, but he gave a sense of organisation and responsibility to everyone. There are moments, as we saw today, where we all need to defend together.

“You can be as talented as you like, but it is all easier if we all work together.”

Are PSG among the favourites to win the Champions League this time around?

“There isn’t just one favourite for this competition, I’d say five or six teams and we are among them. It’s a tough competition, you need a bit of luck, as tiny details can change everything.

“It is certainly our objective and we’ll give it our all to the very end.”

Leandro Paredes returned to the Parc des Princes wearing the Juventus jersey, just a week after he left PSG, and immediately got into a row with former teammate Sergio Ramos.

“I am good friends with him. The odds on that happening were pretty good, as I’d seen them go at it in training, so I’d have bet my house on that happening!” joked Verratti.

“They both care so much and put a lot of character into every challenge, but they always have a hug at the end.”

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