Strootman defends Marseille after PSG defeat

Midfielder Kevin Strootman says PSG are in a different league after they thrashed his Marseille side 4-0 on Sunday night. A brace each from Mauro Icardi and Kylian Mbappe ended the game as a meaningful contest after just 44 minutes.
Andre Villas-Boas’ men could not live with their Ligue 1 counterparts and despite holding them off in the second period they always looked destined to lose without putting up any kind of fight.
It means PSG are now eight points clear at the top of the table following Nantes’ loss to Monaco.
For Marseille, it extends their disappointing run to just one win in their previous six games and they lie seventh in the Ligue 1 table.
It has been an underwhelming start to life for Villas-Boas as Marseille boss, after he replaced Rudi Garcia in May, signing a two-year contract.
However, Strootman has backed his manager and his team following the heavy loss.
The Dutch international says PSG simply have too much for everyone else in the division and they must focus on a tough-looking run of upcoming fixtures. “For me PSG are in a different league, they are too good in France and for us it is very important to remain together, think about the team and then think about the more important matches for us that we have against Monaco, Lille and Lyon,” he said after Sunday night’s game at the Parc des Princes. “We are all playing for the same position and we have to win those three matches.”
Marseille face Monaco away in the round of 32 of the Coupe de la Ligue on Wednesday evening before hosting Lille on Saturday at the Stade Velodrome.