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Seven months after going through the play-offs to reach the Champions League knockout stage, holders Paris Saint-Germain are targeting a more convincing league phase in 2025/26.
The Ligue 1 leaders are perfect in four matches this season and start their European campaign against an Atalanta side who followed up draws with Pisa and Parma with a 4-1 home win over Lecce on Sunday.
“The league phase was difficult but it all worked out well in the end,” Paris defender Marquinhos recalled of their glorious Champions League run.
“We don’t really want to go through that again; we want to start well. You never know how things will go but we know that it can all come down to minor details and that [our first] game could have a decisive impact on whether or not we go through.
“Most importantly, we’re at home and we need a good result because it’s always harder to pick up points on the road.”
Following the end of Gian Piero Gasperini’s nine-year reign, Atalanta appointed Ivan Juric on a two-year deal in June.
The former Torino manager had an eventful 2024/25 via brief spells with Roma and Premier League relegation certainties Southampton.
