Italy international Marco Verratti describes his approach to different roles in midfield for PSG ahead of tonight’s Champions League Round of 16 with Real Madrid. ‘I can have a bit more freedom in certain matches.’
The first leg ended 1-0 to PSG with a last-gasp goal from Kylian Mbappé and the decider is at the Bernabeu this evening at 20.00 GMT.
Reports from L’Equipe suggest Gianluigi Donnarumma will be chosen in goal rather than Keylor Navas, a real show of faith from coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Another Italy international set to take centre-stage is Verratti, who impressed in the first leg and outshone Luka Modric.
While his class with the ball is beyond doubt, Verratti also brings remarkable determination to winning it back in midfield – which is also the reason for his appalling disciplinary record.
“I’m not the sort of player like Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, who do not need much of the ball,” he told BT Sport.
“They are decisive with it. I’m a midfielder and I have to make it happen.”
His position has varied when playing for Paris Saint-Germain and Italy, sometimes in a more advanced role to support the strikers, almost as a trequartista.
“When I’m playing as a 6, you have to respect your position a bit more. When I’m an 8, I can have a bit more freedom in certain matches and I like to press high.”
PSG have made it very clear over the years they will invest heavily to win the Champions League, so can they really get over that final hurdle and lift the trophy?
“We’re confident. We’re sure that we are capable of doing it, but there are three or four teams. We have to give our all and have no regrets. We need a bit of luck too, but I think we have all the ingredients at PSG to win it one day.”
🗣️ Pochettino’s influence
📍 Preferred role in the midfield
🏆 The fight for Champions League glory@rioferdy5 meets Marco Verratti to discuss all things PSG 👊#UCL pic.twitter.com/ip8Il9pbwB— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 9, 2022