Thomas Tuchel, the perfectionist. Satisfied with PSG’s third consecutive victory in the league, the German coach gave a slight rant about the lack of efficiency of his players this Sunday evening on the lawn of Reims (2-0). He would have liked to see this match folded from the 20th minute of play.
How is Neymar, who seemed affected in the calf, and what did you think of his performance in this position further back in midfield?
THOMAS TUCHEL. He told me he had felt something. I thought it was a hit but maybe it’s more than that… I still have to speak with the doctor. He tried too hard defensively. I want him to play like a number 10 and he’s played a lot like a number 8. He’s had a great game overall. We played a very good first half, created a lot, a lot of chances. But we miss almost everything. We have to kill this game after 20 minutes. I’m not happy with the second half.
Reims could have equalized, is that why you are annoyed?
Everything was possible. It was not necessary to put yourself in this situation. We had to finish this match earlier. The hardest part is creating clear opportunities. We had 7 or 8… We have the quality to score and if we have to score, I want us to score! We must find efficiency but also this killer instinct. If we can score eight goals, we have to score eight goals. I want us to stay serious, aggressive until the end.
Nevertheless, you sign a third victory in a row without conceding a goal …
It’s positive, yes. But I remain with the opinion that we lost too many balls and missed too many chances. We won three times, that’s good. Even if we miss the three points of the match against Marseille when we deserved to win… Tonight (Sunday evening), it was good but there are still things to improve.
The positive point also lies in the efficiency of Mauro Icardi… Has his season started?
I really hope. It was necessary for him. He worked well this week, he deserved to start again. His last game was not good. The most important thing for a number 9 is to score. He scored two decisive goals but it was possible to do more.
A week from the end of the transfer window, do you think the recruits will arrive?
I’m trying to believe it. I want to believe it… (laughs)
What are you hoping for?
You know the players we lost. We hope to be able to continue this transfer window and start the season with a group similar to last season. But it’s already late …
The Champions League draw on Thursday, the disciplinary committee on Wednesday with the Alvaro-Neymar affair… Are you worried?
Yes, quite. Not by the draw but if we still have to talk about the disciplinary committee… I said it after PSG-OM. Marseille took four games of suspension, we fourteen… It is not balanced. It’s better that I don’t talk about it.
