Pochettino: “This Tuesday we will decide if Mbappé plays”

The PSG faces tomorrow against Manchester City the most important game of the season. The Parisians risk their survival in the Champions League after losing the first leg 1-2. Pochettino spoke to the media in the absence of just over 24 hours of the contest

The state of Mbappé: “He will train individually to see if he can be there tomorrow. We'll see it today, we haven't decided yet. I say the same about whether we will put it from the beginning or not ”.

Take possession of City: “That will be the intention and our challenge. City is a team that has played with the same philosophy since Guardiola arrived, but we try to do the same, with a good balance in the transitions. We need to be prepared to suffer and be successful with the opportunities we have, also aggressive. The game lasts 90 minutes, we need two goals to pass and that is our goal ”.

Emotion: “Of course. If you don't pass, you can't prepare the final. This depends on different factors. Let's play. The emotional factor will be great tomorrow. It is normal. We depend on the result, we go under and, of course, we need to take risks, be brave, aggressive, plan the game well … City have different ways of playing, we need to be smart. It is going to be a battle and the most important thing is that we need to be prepared ”.

Difference with qualifiers from previous years and motivations: “There are no fans, the atmosphere will be totally different. This is an important factor in soccer. If in this type of game, a Champions League semi-final, we need to motivate our players, it's like 'Houston, we have a problem'. Same for City. I like to play these kinds of games. Nobody wants to be left out. There are many topics in football that it is better to avoid ”.

Dial in the first 15 minutes: “It is difficult to know the key to tomorrow's game, because a lot happens in football and it is difficult to prepare everything. The game surprises you. The most important thing, of course, is to score twice and win, trying to stop City from scoring. Then in football there are different moments and you have to know how to handle them on the field. For that you have the whole season and the situations that originate in training ”.

Preparation for a special motivation: “They usually play different music in the dressing room, they also play it individually with headphones. It's something more about them on a personal level than the group, I don't do anything special ”.

Comparison: “There is no comparison between the FA Cup, the Champions League or Ligue 1. The motivation, the preparation, the tactics, the characteristics of the players are different… everything. We tried to prepare several ideas. We were able to beat Barcelona and Bayern in two games, and this is also about believing. It is an incredible challenge. It's like the World Cup, the most important competition. For PSG to be here and to be able to be in the final is incredible. Then only one wins, but first you have to believe, be here, as the club has been doing in recent years. I hope this is the season, that tomorrow we will have a great game and go to the final to win the Champions League. It is what we want, what the players have in mind and what we are going to try to make happen ”.

Mbappé availability: “We are going to see him today and tomorrow we will make the decision. We need to see him today. “

Verratti: “The game will be decided by small details”

Marco Verratti was the player chosen by PSG for the press conference prior to tomorrow's game against Manchester City. The Italian midfielder spoke to the media just over 24 hours before the match and assured that the semifinal will be decided by small details.

“We expect a great Champions League game tomorrow. We are happy to be able to play this type of game. You have to be calm, and continue as we have been playing lately. It will be an exciting game, there will be moments of suffering and others in which we will be better. You have to take care of every detail. It is a match that will be decided by small details, ”said Verratti when asked about tomorrow's match.

In addition, he added: “Mentally it is a different game. To get to the final you have to win by a goal difference or two. We face all the games with the desire to win them. It will be difficult tomorrow, but we will give everything we have to try to reach the final. You have to be happy on the field and think about playing football, it is a game that everyone dreams of playing. Have personality, character. If we want to reach the final we need all these types of ingredients. We have won difficult games this year, and to reach the final you have to win these types of games. “

The previous atmosphere in the dressing room: “There is a great atmosphere in the dressing room, we want to win every game. We are disappointed in the defeat in the first leg, but we beat Lens the other day, they are a great team. We are happy to be here. We are a great group. You have to stay calm and do the things we always do. Train 100% and give everything in this type of game. “

De Bruyne: “He's a great player. We have played against great players like that. When you play the Champions League we play against the best and he is one of them. But they have great players. We have to fight each ball tomorrow. We will try to make it difficult for him ”.

The key tomorrow: “The key tomorrow is to have the ball, to generate chances. Also enjoy these types of matches. You have to show a lot of personality when it comes to playing tomorrow. We need a little of everything. It is a Champions League match, we play against the best and these matches are decided by details. You have to pay attention to everything and play how we know how ”.

Guardiola: “He is a great coach. He knows when to speed up the game and when to slow it down. We know they are a great team and we have to fight until the last minute. It is not the case that they beat us in the first game and that we need a miracle. We will try to give everything to win. We have to play with our style. “