PSG must be patient in Champions League quest: Tuchel

Elimination by Man United in March still looms large with the club having spent over one billion euros on transfers

PARIS: Paris St Germain must remain patient in their quest for a Champions League title despite their recent failures, coach Thomas Tuchel said after they celebrated their sixth Ligue 1 title in the last seven seasons on Sunday.

PSG were already crowned as runaway champions after second-placed Lille's goalless draw at Toulouse earlier on Sunday and they went on to celebrate in the evening with a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick earning them a 3-1 home win against Monaco.

But despite this achievement, the last-16 Champions League elimination by Manchester United in March still looms large with the club having spent over one billion euros on transfers since Qatar Sports Investment took over in 2011.

"The Champions League is a big goal for the club but even Juventus have been waiting for it for so long," warned Tuchel, referring to the Serie A champions who have not won since 1996 despite reaching the final on five occasions since then.

PSG have been stuttering lately, picking up only one point from their three previous outings before Sunday's celebrations, but the return of Neymar and Edinson Cavani from injury have boosted the team's morale.

"We are disappointed by the United tie but football continues, it's easy to say but I'm going to say it, football continues," said Mbappe, who has scored 30 league goals this season.

The 20-year-old France striker is now looking to collect another trophy when PSG take on Stade Rennais in the French Cup final next Saturday at the Stade de France.

"We have another title to get. Even if we expected more from the Champions League, we must stay focused," added the young World Cup winner.