Salzburg not cowed by rattled PSG

Midfielder Jakob Jantscher insisted FC Salzburg are "not afraid of any big team" as Paris Saint-Germain FC come to Austria, looking to seal their passage to the UEFA Europa League round of 32.

With three points separating the sides second and third in Group F, Salzburg are playing for their tournament lives, with PSG the only side above them in the section they can still catch. Antoine Kombouaré's side underwent an extensive summer refit with a view to battling for a French title, but Jantscher is feeling confident in the wake of a 6-0 weekend league win against Kapfenberger SV.

"Our last match against Kapfenberg was perfect, especially our efficiency in attack," said the 22-year-old, a summer 2010 signing from his hometown club SK Sturm Graz. "The atmosphere at recent training sessions has been much better than before. We are not afraid of any big team at our stadium. It is simple – we just have to win tomorrow and we will do everything we can. I have a very good feeling about it."

A 3-0 loss at Olympique de Marseille on Sunday represented a significant knock to PSG's confidence, but Salzburg coach Ricardo Moniz knows the capital side are still a force to be reckoned with. "PSG are a team with a lot of quality," said the Dutchman. "They had a setback in recent days but they remain a top team. We need to be patient to find and take our chances. Nothing is lost for us yet."

PSG, meanwhile, are eager to put that defeat behind them quickly. "We are professionals and we know that every team can play well and play badly," shrugged defensive midfielder Mohamed Sissoko. "We have to forget the match in Marseille; we just need points in Salzburg and the job will be done. Every good team needs to know how to recover from a knock, and I'm sure that PSG have enough class to get back on track with good results."

Kombouaré has left his "tired" star summer signing Javier Pastore back in Paris, promising that the former US Città di Palermo attacking midfielder "will be even better" in upcoming league games, but hoped his side could show their mettle without the 22-year-old. "Hopefully we have learned something from that match against Marseille, but I can assure you the players have put this painful loss behind them," he said. "We can qualify for the next round of the Europa League, and that is all we are thinking about."