After the setback in Monaco (3-0), a fortnight ago, Mauricio Pochettino spoke of a feeling of “shame”. This Saturday, after having found the internationals but also recorded a good number of packages for injury, the Argentine coach, at a press conference, called on his team to recover. Especially at the time of the reunion with the public of the Park and the ultras who could once again show their anger after the elimination in the Champions League in Madrid.
How have you worked for the fortnight and the defeat in Monaco?
MAURICIO POCHETTINO. We had a very bad match against Monaco. We weren’t well. Many players were involved in decisive matches during this international break. We had few players available. We worked with young people aged 16-17 because almost all the players and even the young people were in the selection. Unfortunately, there have been injuries during international matches. Since their return, the work has had to be balanced according to fatigue.
Does the Parisian group lack leaders?
These are incorrect debates. In all groups there are leaders. Not only at the level of the workforce but also in the technical staff or even in the club. We had a big disappointment against Real Madrid. It was a detonator to talk about a lot of things. The club has been in the quest for several years to try and win the toughest competition. There were very great players with a lot of character. Same for coaches, sports directors. It is something essential and indispensable to achieve the objective pursued by the club. Talking about the lack of player leadership is not the main problem for me.
Could this match against Lorient be an opportunity to redeem yourself vis-à-vis the supporters?
The objective for all is to win the tenth championship. Beyond the emotions that we all have, the frustration of elimination in the Champions League or having lost in Monaco, the important thing is to be all together, for the good of our club, of all those who love PSG. It’s time to come together around a common goal: to win the tenth title. For that we need our best players, in their best form, that the club supports the team. With our supporters, it will be much easier. If they bring us what they are capable of transmitting, it will be much easier to win the match and therefore the title. This is an important title that should not be underestimated. It’s time to put those bad feelings aside for a while. Our players will perform better. Even if we must not forget that there was a great disappointment but for everyone.
Do you feel your players are more fulfilled after this break?
The week after Madrid and before Monaco was the most difficult, the worst I have had here in Paris. Mostly because of sadness and frustration. The two weeks in selection offered different situations depending on the players. I am sad for Marco (Verratti) and Gigio (Donnarumma). But I think it did them good to change their environment. The mood is much better. Tomorrow we will have the conditions to play a good game and above all to win, recover better sensations and end the season, as we deserve, in the best possible way.
After the group draw for the World Cup, do you think Argentina or France will be world champions?
May be. Maybe (laughs) They are two very good teams. Groups are harder than on paper. We can say that Argentina is the favorite (Editor’s note: with Saudi Arabia Mexico, Poland). But beware. France is the last world champion but you have to be careful in Denmark. I also said it to Mbappé and Kimpembe: watch out in denmark. It’s a good selection. But Argentina and France are favorites yes.
