PSG defender Marquinhos claims they 'are in the best condition' ahead of Champions League showdown with Atalanta tonight... despite not playing a competitive game for four months!

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Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos says his side have 'prepared in the best way possible' for their Champions League quarter-final against Atalanta despite the Ligue 1 season finishing more than five months ago. 

PSG will be thrown straight into the deep end in this crucial one-legged last eight tie having not had a league campaign to finish, unlike their Serie A opponents.

The Parisians have had two competitive ties to keep them going with their triumphant French Cup and League Cup finals, meaning they are going for their fourth title this season in the Champions League after also being awarded the Ligue 1 crown.

Marquinhos says Paris Saint-Germain are 'in the best condition' for their tie with Atalanta

The Paris side have relied on training to prepare for the Champions League quarter-final clash having not played in the league for five months, unlike their Serie A opponents who are active

It means that, other than friendlies against Le Havre, Celtic and Sochaux, Thomas Tuchel's side have relied heavily on training to prepare themselves for the tie, and the Brazilian defender is confident the side have approached sessions in the right way.

'I think the squad have prepared in the best way possible with motivation, with enthusiasm – we've had good training sessions,' Marquinhos said at a press conference.

'I think we are in the best condition. We are ready to play this big match, calm, with enthusiasm, with bravery. We are going to put in all the ingredients for a good match.' 

PSG did play two finals last month, winning French Cup (pictured) and French League Cup

Their opponents at the Estadio da Luz stadium, Atalanta, have been the surprise package this season with their attacking approach seeing them get the better of Valencia 8-4 in the previous round and finishing an impressive third in Serie A.

The Italian side will be no pushovers for PSG, who are desperate to claim their first Champions League title in their history after heavy investment from their Qatari owners in recent years.

They will have to face this tie without Marco Verratti after the midfielder suffered a calf injury in training, meaning former Manchester United man Ander Herrera will likely take his place.

Ander Herrera is expected to come in for the injured Marco Verratti for the tie in Lisbon

Kylian Mbappe (left) and Neymar (right) will hope to inspire PSG to Champions League glory

'Ander is a very good player, who is used to big matches. He's a player who isn't afraid of a fight, of giving everything for the team', Marquinhos added on his Spanish team-mate.

'He's the kind of player you want on your side. In all the matches he's played, he's shown his quality.'

This year's Champions league will conclude as a mini-tournament, with all seven remaining games taking place across two stadiums in Lisbon in just 12 days, starting on Wednesday.

Manager Tuchel will hope fleet-footed forward Kylian Mbappe will be at his disposal for the encounter after recovering from an ankle injury.