The Brazil international believes that Laurent Blanc has a deep squad at his disposal and is confident that the club can emerge victorious from this year's competition
Thiago Silva believes Paris Saint-Germain can win the Champions League this season, and believes Laurent Blanc has an incredibly strong team at his disposal.The French side have reached the quarter-finals of the competition in each of the last three seasons, but have embarked on a major recruitment drive this summer, acquiring Angel Di Maria, Layvin Kurzawa, Kevin Trapp and Benjamin Stambouli.
The Brazil international admits that the club are targeting European glory ahead of their domestic ambitions and is confident of progressing beyond the last eight in 2015-16.
"For us it was important to start well, regardless of the opponent. The only true opponent of PSG is PSG,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “But I've seen a real improvement in the team, psychologically.
“We have two strong players for each area of the field, not one poor and the other strong, but players of the highest level. That's important if we consider that last year against Barcelona we played without six starters.
"This year the team has remained roughly the same, with the same philosophy.
“We want to win Ligue 1 as soon as possible to be able to look after our squad and focus on our main objective: the Champions League."
PSG have been drawn alongside Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk and Malmo in Group A this term, and the centre-back is sure that the club can progress as group winners, though he remains wary of facing Manchester City or United in the latter stages of the competition.
"Madrid are always at the top, Shakhtar are a tricky team and Malmo will play the match of their lives against Zlatan Ibrahimovic,” he added. “The season starts now. We are not yet at 100 per cent physically, but there is room for improvement. We want to qualify for the second round early.
"I think it may be the right year for us. Then also Madrid, Barca, Bayern Munich, but look out for City and United, who I always lost to when I was at AC Milan."
Di Maria was signed for a £44 million fee from United in the summer, and Silva has hailed the ability of the former United star.
"Fortunately, the market is over ... Di Maria is a player of great class, he will make a difference in an attack that is already very strong,” he added.
“We want to win Ligue 1 as soon as possible to be able to look after our squad and focus on our main objective: the Champions League."
PSG have been drawn alongside Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk and Malmo in Group A this term, and the centre-back is sure that the club can progress as group winners, though he remains wary of facing Manchester City or United in the latter stages of the competition.
"Madrid are always at the top, Shakhtar are a tricky team and Malmo will play the match of their lives against Zlatan Ibrahimovic,” he added. “The season starts now. We are not yet at 100 per cent physically, but there is room for improvement. We want to qualify for the second round early.
"I think it may be the right year for us. Then also Madrid, Barca, Bayern Munich, but look out for City and United, who I always lost to when I was at AC Milan."
Di Maria was signed for a £44 million fee from United in the summer, and Silva has hailed the ability of the former United star.
"Fortunately, the market is over ... Di Maria is a player of great class, he will make a difference in an attack that is already very strong,” he added.
“We are also strong in defence and in midfield. It is up to the coach to make the best choices."
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