PSG coach Unai Emery insists PSG will battle Monaco all the way for title

PARIS -- Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery has not given up on winning the Ligue 1 title ahead of Saturday's Ligue 1 clash with Bastia.

Last weekend's 3-1 defeat away at Nice left Monaco firmly in the driving seat to take the crown, but Emery said they would try to win at Parc des Princes to apply some pressure.

"It is our job to play for everything, even if the chances are slim, and take all three points in front of our supporters," Emery told his prematch news conference. "We are not reaching our objectives right now but we will continue to work hard.

"We must be at 100 percent and play with plenty of intensity for our fans to enjoy themselves."

After Thiago Motta and Angel Di Maria were each handed two-match bans for their late red cards in Nice -- and the Argentina international's could be extended  -- Emery revealed he has spoken with both players.

"A difficult week post-Nice? When you lose an important match, there is always frustration," he said. "I have spoken with Thiago and Angel so that the experience serves them well in future. These two suspensions open the door to other players.

"I have spoken a lot with the players individually and collectively. We have maintained a consistency in our training to get the team ready. The squad appears concentrated."

Emery admitted it is not easy to see a scenario where Les Parisiens retain the championship.

"We are playing for every title," the former Sevilla coach said. "We want to do more but we will continue to work on things, improve and finish our last four matches of the season.

"Do I still believe in the title? It will be difficult but as long as it remains an option, it is possible."

Playmaker Javier Pastore, left-back Maxwell and right-back Thomas Meunier will struggle to be fit in time to face Bastia.

"There will be a final training session and then we will decide," Emery added. "Javier, Thomas and Maxwell did not finish training yesterday.

"They have progressed well but our last training session will be decisive in choosing the players for the squad."

PSG host Bastia and have the chance to provisionally move level on points with AS Monaco at the Ligue 1 summit before Les Monegasques tackle Nancy later on Saturday.

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