Marco Verratti has revealed that he changed his PSG position in the match against Manchester City to disrupt and break the dominant press of the latter, apart from the revelation that he has absolutely no intention of leaving Paris even after his retirement from football.
Since leaving Pescara in 2012, the Italy international has been at Paris Saint-Germain and has never played in Serie A, as the Delfini were still in Serie B at the time.
“Paris has given me everything! From a footballing perspective, I had the chance to play with and against great champions, in great matches, which is what I wanted above all else,” the 28-year-old said in France Bleu.
“I fell in love with this club and that is why I always try to give the maximum, to give back the faith that was put in me.
“I was a little boy who came from a little town in an Italian province and here I had it all. My children were born here! When you are a bit older than 18, they are your best years. And I, I experienced them here.
“It was incredible. I have become a man and I found love. So everything that I have experienced here will be incredible memories. Life after? I still have a bit of time. What I know, is that I will try to always live here in Paris.”
Despite having just made his comeback from injury for the Man City encounter, Verratti was decidedly impressive in playing a vital, dominant role in PSG’s Champions League victory against a strong Pep Guardiola squad that generally dominated possession.
Interestingly, it looked like Mauricio Pochettino could have out-witted Pep Guardiola by playing the Italian in a different midfield role.
“Let’s say that in midfield, I feel good everywhere. There are different positions, but the manager chooses them. He was the one who, against City, asked me to play in front of the defence,” said Verratti.
“That’s where we needed to break the press, because they are a team that presses a lot and who provoke one-on-one situations.
“But sometimes I can play further forward, the coach knows that he can ask me to adapt depending on the opponents.”