Go in search of the first success of the year in the league. Mauricio Pochettino will once again not have all his arsenal available on Saturday evening to face Brest at the Parc des Princes on the occasion of the 21st day of Ligue 1.
Neymar, who will not return to training for a fortnight, Messi, who is recovering from Covid-19, but also Moroccan Achraf Hakimi as well as Senegalese Abdou Diallo and Idrassa Gueye currently at CAN will not be part of the party. Saturday evening at the Parc des Princes.
Not enough to upset the ambitions of the Argentine coach who spoke without excess this Friday noon at a press conference.
One month before the first leg against Real Madrid, what aspects should Paris improve on?
MAURICIO POCHETTINO. We are in a system open to improvement. Like all teams, we have to improve all the time on many things.
Given the importance of Marquinhos, don’t you regret that he has to leave for selection at the end of the month?
He is an important player for the team, his longevity at the club attests to this. As for the trip, we will see in due time who will leave.
Can you update us on Neymar and Messi?
Ney follows his recovery plan as normal. Leo is better. He remains under the control of the medical staff. He is not available for tomorrow’s game. His condition is improving day by day. But we can’t anticipate anything. We hope to have him soon with us to train.
Is Neymar’s absence the only explanation why Paris have only won one of their last 5 Ligue 1 games?
Ney is a very important player with extraordinary qualities. A player like him would be missed by any team, not just us.
Sergio Ramos has played the equivalent of two games since joining PSG. One month before the match against Real, do you plan to relaunch him and give him more playing time?
We live in the present. It is certainly necessary to plan for the future, but it is the present that matters. Sergio had a period of inactivity for several months. There he trains well with a group. The important thing is not only to have continuity in the presence in matches, but also to have consistency in training.
In what state of mind are you facing Brest?
It’s a good opportunity to start the year well at home. I’m happy with the way the players came back, the training is done in a good atmosphere, there is good involvement on the part of the players. It is very important to come away with a victory.
We saw the young people make good entries, especially in the Coupe de France. Do you feel they are ready to integrate Ligue 1 matches?
We are happy with the involvement of young people, that they participate in training. This season, they have already had the opportunity to play a few minutes. We are one of the teams that gives young people the most opportunities. Over time, we will see the possibility that they will have more.
Will players leave PSG before the end of January?
Everything can happen. The market is open, we know that there is interest from other clubs. But for things to happen, everyone has to agree.
