PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino spoke to the media just over 24 hours from facing the momentous match of matchday 20 of Ligue 1 against Olympique de Lyon. The Argentine coach assured at a press conference that Messi’s absence does not change the situation much for this Sunday and confirmed that Neymar will return to Paris tomorrow after recovering in Brazil.
Leo Messi: “The situation is explained at the medical point. It is under medical control and that is what we can say.”
Messi’s discharge: “All teams are handicapped, either due to injury, covid or sanctions. The situation does not change as much as other teams have. We have to adapt and we are doing so.”
If Neymar arrives in Paris tomorrow: “It is clear that we agreed before his departure to Brazil on the indicated dates and his recovery under medical supervision. From the information we have on a daily basis, his evolution is within the planned plans and we hope that everything will go well in the coming days.”
Icardi’s state of form: “Mauro is fine, training well, he’s controlled, I think he’s in good shape”
The lack of efficiency compared to Mbappé or Icardi: “The case of the relationship between Mbappé and Icardi, it is clear that they have not played together. They are two players who can complement each other very well. The characteristics are different, but within these different characteristics they can contribute different things. attack, it’s a good opportunity to see them in action. “
The difficulty with the virus: “I am not the right person if it is a good decision or not. The best decision will be made to take the least possible risks for the players and for the staff.”
The limitation of fans: “Just accepting the government’s decisions, I think they make the best decision so that we have a game without risk and so that everyone can enjoy themselves, I have nothing to say about decisions at this type of level.”
The casualties and the difficulty of making the eleven: “It is the same complexity when they are all in shape. They are always decisions, they are always the search for the best way to settle them on the field so that they can perform in the best possible way. It is neither more nor less complicated. It is practically the same. than when we have the staff in the same way “.
Who is the one who will replace Achraf (Africa Cup): “Sure, young people are going to be in the displacement. Dagba is a right-back and Kehrer is a player who can act in different positions, but he is more of a center-back than a full-back. Either of them can function in that facet, depending on which one is going. to be the game plan. They are both fit and the decision only has to be made once the game comes tomorrow. The decision has been made, but tomorrow I will inform the players of the decision. “
Xavi Simons position: “The big difference for every player is the transition from the training center to the first team. There are many players who, due to their characteristics, can find different positions to play. At maturity to detect which are the definitive qualities to be at PSG. Xavi can be a medium with arrival and, depending on the team’s plan, he can be a player who acts in different positions. Who starts out wide on the wing, but goes inside to play indoors. Or in this case as a forward throwing himself a little. back … He has a little bit of everything, over time he will have to define his position. But that will be given by playing time with the first team. “
Lyon: “He is one of the best squads, with a great coach, I think at the end of the season they will be fighting for important things.”