Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery thought his team played "very well" against bitter rivals Marseille in Le Classique, despite drawing 0-0 at Parc des Princes on Sunday, while his players agreed they deserved better.

The Spaniard pointed out the French champions "created a number of chances" but "unfortunately failed to put one away" and admitted the result "was not the one we were hoping for."

"We often have to play against sides defending very deep and in numbers," Emery said in the post-match news conference. "Despite that, we managed to create a number of chances -- even if we did not manage to score. We still have to fine-tune a few things but we are on the right track."

Emery was also quick to defend his decision of substituting Angel Di Maria, and despite the Argentine showing his dissatisfaction at coming off, the former Sevilla coach reckoned it is "normal."

"Di Maria is an important player for us. He worked a lot for the team," Emery added.

"I believe in him and wait for him to improve. He did not put in a good performance, but it is up to me to help him. I have to give him the confidence to improve. He has a good attitude and will keep working to put in better performances.

"It is only normal that he was not happy with his substitution. He did not want to be replaced, but it was my decision. I don't mind players getting upset when they are taken off. That shows they have character. It's a good thing for me."

Thiago Silva agreed with Emery's assessment of PSG. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

Captain Thiago Silva agreed with Emery and felt his teammates "played well" and "put Marseille in difficult positions."

The Brazilian admitted OM were surprisingly good after changing coach just days earlier but recognised Rudi Garcia has some "good players" available to him.

"For them, this was a tough game," Silva added. "Unfortunately, we were unable to score. We did everything right this week and prepared well but we just did not score."

Asked whether or not Nice's growing lead at the Ligue 1 summit is worrying, Silva responded negatively.

"No, last season was won eight weeks in advance and that will not happen every year," Silva said. "We must be careful to not let them get too far ahead though. We have two matches to play against Nice and if we win both, we will be level."

Maxwell thought similarly to Emery and Silva and pointed out that PSG "enjoyed a lot of possession" and "limited counter-attacks" before admitting that the goalless draw "leaves a bitter taste."

"The league season is always tricky," Maxwell added. "We must keep the positives and remain optimistic. There is a long way to go. Of course, we dropped points. We must recover them and find our way back to the top of the table.

"We are aware of it and we are working hard. We know there is a need to improve a lot of things but we must remain positive and confident for the rest of the season."

Thiago Motta refuted suggestions that PSG's performance was poor just because of the disappointing nature of the result.

"No. It is not worrying," Motta responded. "It is when you do not win but also do not create chances, when you play badly and you let the other team have chances to score that it is worrying. This was completely different. That is my opinion."

"Perhaps it is possible to see things differently on the pitch and that vision can change the analysis of the match but I think we deserved more," the Italian midfielder added. "We created chances, we just lacked goals. It is a pity because, obviously, the result is not a good one for us."