Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery has said midfielder Marco Verratti is "happy in Paris and at PSG" after recent comments by Italy coach Giampiero Ventura.
Ventura criticised Ligue 1 and claimed 24-year-old Verratti was not being tested enough after questions were raised over his form and fitness.
Emery said he did not know "in which context these remarks were made" but told a news conference ahead of Sunday's game at Lyon: "For Verratti, he needed three months to get back to full fitness -- that is what the specialists said after his injury.
"He is happy in Paris and at PSG, one of the most important teams in the world."
PSG drew 2-2 at Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday, when much was made of Emery's decision to start Blaise Matuidi on the left side of attack instead of in central midfield.
The coach said he "prepared the players to form the best team" and hailed Matuidi's "good job" at the Emirates Stadium.
"Away at Arsenal, there was a need for players who can press," he added. "Matuidi is the best when it comes to this. With the ball, he made a lot of calls. This is an option in certain matches."
Emery said Bruno Genesio's improving Lyon would provide "another big test" and warned of the threat posed by Alexandre Lacazette and Nabil Fekir.
"I have high hopes my team will demonstrate the recent progress made," he said. "The team did a good job at Arsenal but Lyon have overcome a few early doubts and they are better now.
"When I am told the league is not strong, I say that it is. Monaco are doing very well so far, domestically and in Europe. Lyon can still reach the latter stages [of the Champions League] too."