Paris Saint Germain vs Nantes preview - Blanc eager to avoid slip-ups

Paris St Germain manager Laurent Blanc says his side have already lost enough points this season, making victory against Nantes vitally important.

Les Parisiens enter the weekend second in the Ligue 1 standings, a point shy of leaders Marseille's haul of 35.

Blanc's men missed the chance to usurp them at the summit by drawing 1-1 at struggling Lille in midweek but Saturday's home encounter with Nantes offers them a chance to make amends.

"We need to pick up points, it's the main priority," the former France international told the French media.

"The championship is a marathon and you always need to pick up as many points as possible.

"We have drawn away from home against Lille and now we need to win at home.

"We have a lot of respect for Nantes, a team we know very well. We want the three points.

"We could have claimed (top spot) on Wednesday against Lille. We are disappointed that we didn't get it. We didn't find the right ingredients.

"At home, we've already lost enough points, so we simply must take all three against Nantes."

PSG have won their last six matches against Nantes at the Parc des Princes, with the visitors failing to net in the previous five.

Les Canaris will be hoping Blanc's players are not fully-focused due to the upcoming Champions League clash in Barcelona, although they know all too well what can happen when the reigning champions are on form.

Jordan Veretout started in the Nantes midfield on their last meeting in the French capital in January, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted a brace during a 5-0 rout.

"It hurts to lose 5-0," Veretout said ahead of a match his side enter seventh in the table.

"But it's in the past, we're in a new season. We have improved, and we want to do well in Paris. We're going there with ambition.

"We're paying for our little mistakes. We're still one of the best defences in the league. We're not going to change everything."