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Paris Saint-Germain players Ousmane Dembele and Marquinhos said the French club are fully focused on winning the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal and securing a second straight title in the competition.
PSG will face Arsenal on Friday at 7 p.m. Türkiye time at Puskas Arena in Budapest.
Dembele said PSG know they have a chance to make history for the club, after winning their first Champions League title last year.
“We have a young squad with really big goals. We do not want to stop here. Winning tomorrow is very important. We know this could be something truly historic,” Dembele said.
Dembele said Arsenal are a strong opponent and deserved to reach the final after ending their 22-year wait for a Premier League title.
“Arsenal are a very good team. We saw that with their Premier League victory. They also finished top of their group in the Champions League,” he said.
Dembele said Arsenal play good football, attack and defend well, and are dangerous from set pieces.
He also praised Arsenal’s coach, saying he had done “a tremendous job.”
Dembele said winning with PSG was more important than individual awards, adding that his focus was on trophies with the club, the coaching staff and the squad.
“The most important thing is winning with Paris Saint-Germain, making our fans proud and making this club happy,” he said.
The French forward said he had fully recovered from his recent injury and felt “100% ready” for the final.
PSG defender Marquinhos said the motivation to win the Champions League had not changed since last year and may now be even stronger.
“The motivation, hunger and ambition to win this trophy have not changed since last year, maybe they are even greater now,” Marquinhos said.
“Because we tasted it, and now we always want to feel that emotion and excitement.”
Marquinhos also praised coach Luis Enrique, saying he had brought his philosophy and prepared the team tactically, emotionally, mentally and physically.
The Brazilian defender said PSG had prepared for Arsenal’s set-piece threat, adding that small details could decide a final.
“We know how difficult it is to play against Arsenal,” he said. “We prepared for all these details in the best way.”
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