Saint-Etienne vs Paris Saint Germain - PSG boss refuses to let up even when title race is won

Posted Friday, April 06, 2018 by PA

Paris St Germain will be on the brink of clinching the Ligue 1 title if they beat St Etienne on Friday.

PSG are currently 16 points ahead of reigning champions Monaco with seven matches to play.

A victory means they could even be confirmed as champions 24 hours later should Monaco lose at home to Nantes on Saturday.

Nevertheless, coach Unai Emery has promised no let-up over the remaining games of the season.

“We want to win, to keep progressing, to show how strong we are,” Emery told the club website.

“We want to keep going, win the championship and earn as many points as possible.”

PSG are likely to be without Dani Alves, who has yet to train this week after picking up a knock.

Neymar is still recovering from his metatarsal injury and Thiago Motta is suspended.

“On Friday, the atmosphere will be great inside the stadium,” added Emery.

“It will be a great match between two in-form sides. For St Etienne and their fans, this is a very important match. They want to prove that they can beat us.

“We need to prepare well and be focused on the job at hand, for the full 90 minutes. We will have to play well to win this game.”

St Etienne are well off the pace in ninth but are unbeaten in their last nine matches.

“Today, we no longer look down, we look at what is happening above. We will do everything to finish as high as possible,” coach Jean-Louis Gasset told L’Equipe.

“We are not afraid, anything can happen. That’s what’s good in football, it’s that we can imagine all scenarios.”