Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos says he is “very proud and very happy” to have another chance to lift silverware ahead of the French champions’ game against Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night, Softfootball reports.
The match pits last season’s Champions League winners PSG against Europa League holders Tottenham, which is the first time Marquinhos will contest the Super Cup since joining the club in 2013.
Marquinhos Press Conference (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
The Brazilian defender and PSG captain admitted that starting the season with a trophy opportunity is both exciting and challenging.
Marquinhos, speaking to the club media, said:
“Starting a new season after winning so much last season is really enjoyable and motivating.
“When we won, it was an incredible moment, but the next day I was already thinking about winning again. We know both feelings in a final, winning and losing and we know which one we want to feel tomorrow night.”
Marquinhos underlined the competitive mindset within the PSG squad, saying the players are driven to keep adding to their honours.
This follows the statement of the club’s gaffer, Luis Enrique, who had called tonight’s game more like a bitter and sweet experience. Marquinhos corroborated the fact that the Super Cup tends to mar or make their new season.
He continued:
“It’s a pleasure to start a season like this, as Champions League winners. We are competitors and we always want more.
“Our goal is to keep fighting for every trophy, something very few teams manage to do.”
The captain also spoke about the role he and other senior players play in helping new signings settle.
PSG will be playing a newly revamped Tottenham side under the tutelage of Frank Thomas, who will be experiencing his first competitive game as the manager of the North London side.
The last time both sides, PSG and Tottenham, met was in 2017 during the International Champions Cup, where Spurs defeated PSG 4-2.
The UEFA Super Cup offers PSG the chance to add another European title to their growing collection and send a statement of intent ahead of the new season. Tottenham, under Thomas Frank, will provide a stern test, but Enrique’s men arrive in Udine determined to start the season campaign by lifting silverware.
