PSG Gear Up for Demanding Schedule as Unpredictable Marseille Arrive

Luis Enrique, manager of Paris Saint-Germain, foresees intense pressure on his team during the final stages of the Ligue 1 campaign, kicking off with the Sunday clash against their erratic long-standing foes from Marseille.

PSG, fresh off their European triumphs, have secured victory in their previous six domestic matches, yet they confront a surprising push for the crown from resilient Lens, trailing by merely two points and advancing to the French Cup last eight earlier this week.

"This league is incredibly demanding," remarked Luis Enrique following their narrow 2-1 triumph over Strasbourg last week, where they snatched a winner in added time despite playing with 10 players after Achraf Hakimi received a red card.

"Lens have earned their position alongside us. It promises to be tough. Marseille and Lyon are gaining momentum too. The season finale will test us severely."

With an unusual break after their unexpected departure from the national cup, PSG now prepare for a two-match Champions League qualifier against Monaco in late February to secure a spot in the last 16.

Marseille appeared poised for progression in Europe until a bizarre sequence of events led to their elimination, sparking outrage among fans during Tuesdays French Cup encounter.

Having squandered a two-goal advantage in a 2-2 stalemate against Paris FC last weekend, Marseille progressed with a 3-0 win over Rennes in the cup, though frustrated supporters displayed multiple banners expressing fury over the Champions League mishap.

"Supporters possess greater insight and understanding than many assume. They tend to speak the truth," stated De Zerbi, after a Monday discussion between players, officials, and fan delegates still reeling from the humiliating 3-0 defeat to Club Brugge.

"Their disappointment over Brugge is justified, it was a game that shames us.

"We possess a squad that conveys immense strength, so high expectations are natural. At times we fulfil them, at others we fall short."

"This is an enigmatic squad, tough to predict," De Zerbi continued. "We seek greater stability and reliability."

Marseille defeated PSG 1-0 back in September and came close to repeating the feat in last months Champions Trophy match in Kuwait, falling in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw sealed by a goal in stoppage time.

PSG must cope without the banned Hakimi this weekend, while forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia remains a doubtful starter due to injury, but De Zerbi recognises Marseille need peak performance to triumph.

"PSG stand as Europes premier side," De Zerbi affirmed. "This is not mere flattery because of their recent Champions League success, I genuinely hold that view." 

Player to watch: Ciro Immobile

Paris FC were active during the recent transfer period, aiming to bolster long-term prospects while avoiding entanglement in a drop zone scrap for the latter part of the season.

To remedy weaknesses up front, the team recruited four-time Serie A leading marksman Immobile, who entered as a substitute in Wednesdays cup loss to Lorient.

Approaching his 36th birthday in a fortnight, Immobile has yet to net this term following an injury-plagued stint at Bologna, yet Paris FC believe the Euro 2020 champion, boasting 304 strikes in 587 club outings, retains elite quality.

Key stats

4 - matches where Marseille have let slip points after goals against them in second-half added time.

9 - consecutive league victories on home soil for Lens, who have kept clean sheets in their past five outings at Stade Bollaert

12 - Lorients current unbeaten streak across all tournaments. They overcame Paris FC 2-0 to advance to the French Cup last eight

Fixtures (times GMT)

Friday

Metz v Lille (1945)

Saturday

Lens v Rennes (1600), Brest v Lorient (1800), Nantes v Lyon (20005) 

Sunday

Nice v Monaco (1400), Auxerre v Paris FC, Le Havre v Strasbourg, Angers v Toulouse (all 1615), Paris Saint-Germain v Marseille (1945)