Paris Saint Germain vs Nice - Unai Emery wants to get over Le Classique draw by beating Nice

Posted Thursday, October 26, 2017 by PA

Unai Emery has called on his Paris St Germain side to get back to winning ways when they face Nice in Ligue 1 on Friday.

The league leaders dropped points for just the second time this season when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Marseille in Le Classique last Sunday.

Emery said on the club website: "If we had been more clinical, we could have won. If the referee had blown for what was unquestionably a penalty, we could have scored then, too. A lot of things happened in the 90 minutes.

"Now that the match is over, we need to focus on the next one. The best way to get over the draw in Marseille will be to win against Nice.

"Our fans weren't able to travel to Marseille but they will be there against Nice. Together, we can show our strength. Our objective is to play for them. I want them to enjoy their team.

"Nice's visit represents the opportunity for a good win. We didn't beat them last season; we had a loss and a draw. Our objective is to focus hard for Friday and take the opportunity to collect another three points."

PSG will be without the suspended Neymar, who was shown a red card late on against Marseille.

Thiago Motta (knee) and Thomas Meunier (muscle pain) are also expected to miss out but Dani Alves could return.

Nice led the way for much of last season but have been well off the pace so far this campaign.

Le Gym have collected only 10 points from their first 10 games and, after four straight losses, head to the capital sitting in a lowly 14th place.

But striker Mario Balotelli believes they have been unlucky.

He told Nice-Matin: "Crisis? No. We lost some games. Against Marseille, if we do not score the first goal so fast, I am convinced that we win.

"Against Montpellier, Alassane (Plea) and I had a huge opportunity. If I score, we do not lose. Lazio, if I score, we do not lose this game.

"It takes a little luck sometimes. Win against Lazio, it changes everything. If you win against Marseille, it changes as well. It is the peculiarities of football. Sometimes it does not go as you imagined."