PSG coach wants squad to aim high

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc is urging his side to go as far as it possibly can in the Champions League, while admitting there is no such thing as an ideal opponent in the quarterfinals.

The Ligue 1 leader came from behind to beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 at the Parc des Princes in the second leg of it last-16 tie on Wednesday to go through to the next round 6-1 on aggregate.

Marquinhos and Ezequiel Lavezzi scored the goals.

PSG is now certain to at least match its performance in last season's competition, when it lost on away goals to Barcelona in the last eight, but Blanc has urged his men to go that step further.

However, with Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona already through, next week's draw is unlikely to be kind to the French title-holder.

"It is not a bonus to be in the quarterfinals," said Blanc. "We need to prepare well, be very professional, but I am not worried about that. I think the players will respond to the challenge.

"We have an end to the season that could become very exciting. First of all we are happy and satisfied, but we have won nothing. At the end of the season what counts is trophies."

PSG is eight points clear of Monaco at the top of Ligue 1 and is through to the League Cup final, where it will face Lyon next month.

But while it is on course to win a domestic trophy double, going all the way in the Champions League will be a huge challenge.

"I think first of all the objective is to go as far as possible. We have done as well as last year, but you want to win every tie," said Blanc.

"There are teams that have a legitimacy in the Champions League in terms of experience that we don't have, but I think the respect our opponents have for us has increased.

"They know we are a club that can go far. We will wait for the draw. Hopefully, we can get a bit of luck in the draw - but the ideal opponent does not exist."

Blanc was disappointed with his team's performance on the night, as it conceded an early goal to Sidney Sam before Salvatore Sirigu had to save a Simon Rolfes penalty with the score tied 1-1.

He gave a guarded response following comments by club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi on French television after the match that he would be offered a new contract.

"I expected more. The manner was not great, but the level in the Champions League is a lot higher than the French championship. I am still very happy.

"I didn't expect that question," Blance said about his contractual situation.

"I hope the president's comments will be verified in the coming weeks."

Of PSG's prospects, Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia said: "Paris is a very good side as they showed again. They can go far. There are other great sides, but Paris definitely has a good chance to go through."

(China Daily 03/14/2014 page23)