Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Ligue 1 Show, Milan Škriniar opens up about moving to France from Italy as well as Paris Saint-Germain's resurgence in form which has them back fighting for top spot in Ligue 1 Uber Eats.
In an exclusive interview with The Ligue 1 Show, Paris Saint-Germain defender Milan Skriniar shares insights into the team's recent climb to the top of the league and his personal adaptation to the challenges of Ligue 1 Uber Eats.
PSG climbed temporarily to the top of the league after a convincing 3-0 victory over Montpellier last weekend. The win not only marked their fifth consecutive triumph but also showcased the team's dominance with 72 percent possession, 700 passes completed, and 22 shots on goal.
Skriniar, speaking in English, conveyed his satisfaction with reaching the top spot, stating, "It’s a really good feeling… finally we are there, where we want to be. From the first day, we are working for that." The Slovakian defender emphasised the team's desire to play possession-based football, controlling games with a focus on ball retention. "We want to keep the ball, we want to control the games… it’s perfect when you have always the ball," Skriniar added.
Luis Enrique, PSG's head coach, has shown confidence in Skriniar by granting him more playing minutes than any other outfield player. Skriniar often partners with club captain Marquinhos, and the defender praised Marquinhos, saying, "He is fantastic, he is for me one of the best centre-backs in the world." The connection between them on and off the field is evident, aided by the fact that Marquinhos speaks Italian, fostering a strong partnership.
Switching Italy for France
Despite PSG's recent success, Skriniar acknowledged the challenges of adapting to Ligue 1 after spending seven seasons in Serie A. He pointed out the differences, noting the presence of strong, fast, and physical players in the French league, making it more of a one-on-one battle. Skriniar admitted, "In Ligue 1, there are a lot of strong players... It’s not like in Italy where it’s more tactical. Here it’s more maybe one against one against really strong players, so it’s not easy."
Reflecting on PSG's defeat to Nice, Skriniar admitted it was not their best game but acknowledged that teams always bring their A-game against PSG, treating every match as if it were a World Cup final. Since that loss, PSG has won five consecutive home games without conceding a single goal, turning the Parc des Princes into a fortress once more.
PSG fans key in turnaround of home form
Skriniar attributed this turnaround to the team's resilience and the unwavering support of their fans. "We feel it, we feel also the energy of our supporters," he said. Even after the loss to Nice, the fans applauded the team, highlighting the strong bond between the players and supporters. Skriniar emphasised the importance of this connection, stating, "We feel really good when we play at home in front of our fans."
As PSG prepare to face Stade de Reims away from home, Skriniar is likely to be tested again. Following Nice's goalless draw against Montpellier on Friday night Les Parisiens could surpass Les Aiglons in the standings with a win, finishing the round at the top of the Ligue 1 Uber Eats table.
