The PSG coach, Mauricio Pochettino, spoke to the media prior to the match against Nice corresponding to matchday 27 of Ligue 1. The Argentine coach stressed that the Nice match suits the Parisian team like a glove to prepare for Wednesday’s match, as well as underlining that Sergio Ramos’ experience could be important for the European Cup tie.
The difficulty of facing Nice: “We have to accept the calendar and act naturally. In the end, it’s not our choice, but rather the situations that arise from the start of the season. Nice is a team that demands the opposite and that is going to be very competitive, but I think that more than harming it, it is something that will benefit us because competing against Nice prepares you to play a Champions League tie against Madrid. I think it is something that can come in handy to increase our concentration. For us, the match tomorrow’s is the most important.”
If there is progression in the team: “I’m satisfied. Progress is perhaps much more noticeable when you win a Champions League match against Real Madrid. Half of the work has been done and the second half is yet to come. We have to continue progressing. It is clear that the circumstances at the start of the season have marked the future of progression, they mean that we are in an ascending situation. And working in a very calm environment. That naturalness and that spirit that is breathed inside the locker room means that you can also see those improvements that we have been talking about and that They’re hard to spot for people who aren’t inside.”
The loss of Mbappé? It is not necessary to be at the expense of individualities.
Mauricio Pochettino, PSG coach.
The psychological effect of Mbappé’s absence tomorrow: “It is important. The most important thing is that the group believes in the strength of the team and that is something that we have to continue cultivating. Not only be at the expense of individualities, but also that the group overcomes any inconvenience or any lack like in this case the loss of Mbappé”.
The substitution of Di María with Neymar back: “I believe that each game is a world apart. We are going to find a Real Madrid that will not have the same players as we will not have some players. We are going to see how we get on after tomorrow’s game and then the planning will be one way or another. We haven’t thought about it yet. We are facing a game that we have to pay full attention to. It would be a mistake not to face tomorrow’s game with the tension that the rival demands of us. After the Nice game we will think about the best line-up against Madrid. The goal is to be better than Madrid and impose our football idea to achieve the goal we want.”
If it is difficult not to think about the Madrid match: “In football one cannot manage. It’s like light, the footballer, like us, when he disconnects it is difficult for him to find his best rule again. Tomorrow we have to compete in the best sense of respect for Ligue 1 and the Nice. Keeping the advantage and winning the match are enough motivations to do your best. We already know that in football, when you are fully focused on the competition, problems are avoided. When you are not physically or mentally well, they can problems like a card or an injury for not making an effort. The best way to prepare for these important games in the Champions League is to go full force and be focused in the best way to avoid any problem”.
PSG’s difficulties away from home: “The great teams always have better results at home than away. We are a team that tries to play the same way at home and away. We analyze the games always thinking that we have to dominate wherever we play and under whatever environment they propose to us. But hey, sometimes there may be coincidence issues or situations in which the team or the rival has more success. I don’t think there is anything to emphasize or to extract from the performances away from home that explains that we have worse results. merit of our love for generating energy by influencing the players or the stage fright that it gives the opponent”.
Any little detail about Ramos, even if he doesn’t play, is important to us.
Mauricio Pochettino, PSG coach.
competition in goal: “For tomorrow I have already decided who will play. For Wednesday’s game I haven’t decided yet. Either Gigio or Keylor will play (laughs).”
Sergio Ramos: “We will assess him in the coming days. He is not yet integrated into the team. It is clear that in a Champions League match, not only players like Sergio can pass on the experience. He can pass on the experience and give good advice. It would be good if he were there, beyond whether he was in a position to play. Also like other players who are important beyond injuries or sanctions. Any contribution, in this case from Sergio, can be well received. Any minimum detail can be positive for us”.