Basel vs Paris Saint Germain - Unai Emery keen for PSG to use Basle game

Posted Tuesday, November 01, 2016 by PA

Unai Emery has talked up the importance of Paris St Germain's Champions League trip to Basle as the French champions aim to seal their place in the knockout stages.

PSG, who are level on seven points with Arsenal in Group A, will reach the last-16 if they win in Switzerland and Ludogorets fail to beat the Gunners.

Although Emery's side collected a 3-0 victory in Paris less than a fortnight ago, Basle wasted plenty of chances and the former Sevilla coach knows his side will need to be on top of their game if they are to collect three points.

"This is a very important game, we want to qualify," Emery told L'Equipe. "Then it will be about first place. Basle had a good game against us. We are prepared. We aim to play well."

Emery will welcome Javier Pastore back into his squad after the Argentina international, who has not played since September 23, recovered from a calf injury.

"Pastore is a player with lots of experience at PSG, he knows the club and the other players," Emery added.

"He has personal talent that allows him to play between the lines, to track back and accelerate forward. He has quality in front of goal."

One player Emery is without is defender Serge Aurier, who has not travelled due to an ankle problem.

Basle coach Urs Fischer took heart from his side's display in the French capital and has urged his players to take their opportunities.

"One needs a bit of luck and we did not have that in the first leg unfortunately - we hit the post three times," Fischer told UEFA.com. "Now we have to repeat this performance and take one or two of our opportunities."

Fischer, whose side are unbeaten in seven home matches, added: "It would be quite wrong if we were now completely focused on the game in Sofia against Ludogorets.

"We do not know what they will create at home against Arsenal and what happens when you win.

"We have to concentrate on ourselves and play like we did in Paris... maybe even a little better."