Frustrated by the 1-0 defeat to Lens in PSG's first Ligue 1 Uber Eats match of the 1920-21 season, Italy midfielder Marco Verratti called on his COVID-hit squad to rally for Sunday's Classique at home to arch-rivals Olympique de Marseille.
Paris Saint-Germain haven't been in the habit of losing Ligue 1 Uber Eats in recent years, but this season is already a standout in that the capital club lost their very first match of the season, 1-0 away to Lens.
Sure, coach Thomas Tuchel had to cobble together a starting XI with youth academy talent after COVID-19 swept through his squad and deprived him of Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, Angel Di Maria, Mauro Icardi, Marquinhos, Keylor Navas and Leandro Paredes. He also had Julian Draxler pull up in training with a groin issue, while 'keeper Sergio Rico was ineligible as he was not on the club's books when this Round 2 fixture was initially scheduled.
Verratti: 'Show something else to win against OM'
But, despite all the very good reasons for the defeat, Marco Verratti was vocal after the match in calling for everyone to lift their game as the all-important Classique - a fixture in which the capital club boasts a 20-match unbeaten streak against their bitter rivals in all competitions - looms on Sunday.
"I think there are a lot of factors for the defeat. I can say that we gave everything we could. Our maximum today was this. It was impossible to ask for more after a week of training. I saw the guys go into the locker room very tired," explained the Italy international, who wore the captain's armband on the night. "Now in three days it's going to be the same kind of craziness. That's why we have to do more. We have three days of training, we have to show something else to win against OM, because this match is really important to the fans."
Tuchel: 'Can't be too critical'
Tuchel, meanwhile, was doing a good job of staying zen despite the vicissitudes of a hectic early-season pandemic schedule.
"Am I worried about Sunday? No, but I am realistic. We need several weeks to get into shape for the season ahead. Today, given the preparation we have had, we were in a situation similar to a friendly match. But it was not a friendly," said the German tactician. "Lens were physically ready, and had played well in Nice [a 2-1 defeat in Round 1]. It was difficult to create chances against their 5-2-1-2. You can't be too critical of the players. A 0-0 was possible and there were some positives to take from the match. And if we have to play with the same team against Marseille, we'll do it."
Haise: 'We managed to make our point'
For Tuchel's opposite number Franck Haise, it was a super result in the promoted side's first Ligue 1 Uber Eats match of the season in front of their legendary fans at the Stade Felix Bollaert.
"It feels good to beat the Champions League finalists, of course. We knew it would be complicated, especially in terms of possession. But we managed to make our point," said Lens boss Franck Haise, understandably very pleased with the win. "I'm proud of the players, that's obvious, but also of the fans. Five thousand spectators in Bollaert is not really like in other stadiums. We enjoyed experiencing all that again. It was very powerful, despite the limited numbers."