Marquinhos to Celebrate 500th PSG Appearance Against Spurs

Marquinhos is set to achieve a significant milestone in his career as he prepares to make his 500th appearance for Paris St Germain during the Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur on October 25, 2023. The Brazilian defender, who joined PSG in 2013 at the age of 19, has recently recovered from injury and is expected to take the pitch at the Parc des Princes.

In a press conference held on Tuesday, PSG coach Luis Enrique expressed his admiration for Marquinhos, stating, “If he is in condition, he will play. Five hundred matches is an incredible number. He has been captain for a long time, a different player, a real leader. We are very happy for him.”

Enrique also reflected on the team’s current form compared to the previous season. He noted that while PSG has three points fewer in Ligue 1, they have scored more goals. “In the Champions League, we have improved – we know how it went last season,” he said. “Defensively, my feeling is that we are better.”

Despite the optimism, Enrique acknowledged the challenges of managing player injuries, particularly with forward Ousmane Dembele. “Every time a player comes back, it’s difficult to know how to handle it. With Ousmane, we are even more attentive than usual. We love to have him back, but we have to be careful,” he added.

Reflecting on the previous encounter with Tottenham during the UEFA Super Cup in August, Enrique revealed, “It’s a good memory because it ended well, but a bad one if I think about the first 60 minutes – we had a lot of difficulties. Now we are better prepared to try to dominate the match, but it will be difficult. Individually, they have many internationals; they are strong and have started the season well.”

The coach also emphasized the importance of the club’s academy players, stating, “It’s important for us and for them to know there are opportunities. It’s never easy to play for Paris St Germain, but we are not afraid to give chances to young players if they have the quality.” He highlighted the positive contributions from these players, noting that their goal-scoring numbers are already better than last year.

As of now, PSG sits fifth in the Champions League standings after four matches, while topping the Ligue 1 table. The team is poised for a crucial match against Tottenham, where Marquinhos’ leadership and experience will be instrumental in their quest for victory.