Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 8y

Marco Verratti admits he's 'not yet 100 percent fit' upon return to PSG

Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti has admitted he is "not yet 100 percent fit" but said he is "working hard" to get back to full fitness after an injury-hit 2015-16 season, which ended with groin surgery in May.

Before his substitute appearance in the 1-0 win away at Bastia on the opening day of the Ligue 1 campaign, the Italy international had not featured in Le Championnat since February.

Verratti also came on in the 3-0 win over Metz last weekend and scored the third goal for the French champions at Parc des Princes.

The 23-year-old branded last term a "difficult" one and stressed his relief at being back in the first team fold.

"The most important thing is that I am back in the group after a difficult season," Verratti said in a news conference ahead of Sunday's clash with Monaco. "I am not yet 100 percent fit but I am working hard to get there."

"On my groin problem, it was not like a knee injury, for example. It was difficult to predict how it would feel from day to day. I waited as long as I could to play in the Champions League latter stages and at Euro 2016. However, I was left with no choice but to undergo surgery."

PSG coach Unai Emery said he's delighted to have Verratti at his disposal, but the Spaniard emphasised the importance of competition for places. The 44-year-old feels the former Pescara man is "not ready" to give the sort of intensity he demands over 90 full minutes yet.

"Verratti has been injured and was out for several months," Emery stated. "If I give him 90 minutes, he must be able to play with heart. However, he is not ready to give the intensity I am asking for over that period of time just yet."

Asked about competition for spots in his midfield, the Basque tactician cited the Champions League as a reason to rotate his squad.

"Taking into account the Champions League, we anticipate playing a lot of matches this season. We often talk about the Manchester City match, about those who were injured or suspended but competition is also important.

"I want competition. I want the best players to play. If they are motivated, then they can give me the intensity I am after.

"I want the players to be annoyed! I want them to show me I am wrong! They must respond on the pitch!"

Emery moved on to the clash with Monaco on Sunday and admitted that although he does have a big squad to pick from, captain Thiago Silva and summer signing Jese Rodriguez will still miss out.

"For the Monaco match, I have 22 players available," the former Sevilla boss confirmed. "That is a good number. 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1? Tactical depth is also important. I have explained this to the players.

"Our injured players like Jese and Thiago Silva are doing better but they will not be ready for Sunday. After one more week, they will be fine."

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