One more match and that will be the end of 2021 for PSG, which travels to Lorient on Wednesday evening. Before this meeting counting for the 19th day of Ligue 1, Mauricio Pochettino spoke at a press conference on Tuesday, after the final training of his players at the Camp des Loges.
How to replace Kylian Mbappé who will be suspended in Lorient?
MAURICIO POCHETTINO. We are not talking about replacing, no, we are talking about finding a good functioning to bring us closer to victory. These are situations that happen during the year, either through injuries or suspensions, but we have a good workforce to deal with these situations.
How to better manage the depth in the absence of Mbappé?
It’s a good question. When we have players like Kylian (Mbappé) or Neymar on the field, this leads the team to seek more verticality. We can think that we will maybe play differently tomorrow (Wednesday), maybe at a different pace. It will be a challenge, we will see how the team will act in another situation.
By what characteristics does Mauro Icardi stand out within your collective?
Mauro did not play as much as he could surely hope for, for various reasons. But it is also true that he has important characteristics for the team, he is a surface player, a finisher, it is good to have a player like him who can bring balance and something different in the team.
How are you going to handle the short break? Will players be exempted from resuming?
The date was communicated to the players today. It has been a special year, with the pandemic. Paris is also a special club with most of the players who are international. We had a lot of games to play and we think it’s a good time for the players to stay a few days with their family. The resumption will take place on January 1st, and for the South Americans it will be on the 2nd. The players will have a program to follow. Confidence is total, the working atmosphere is good, we want to be ready for the resumption match on January 3 in Vannes.
Will the South Americans really be able to play in Vannes on Monday January 3 for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France?
Yes, it is a possibility. They will not have many days off and the work to do during the holidays must make them available but that will be up to me. The young people also train with us, it will perhaps be the possibility for them to play and to take the experience like Sunday.
How do you judge the management of the competition between the two titular goalkeepers (Donnarumma, Navas) ?
Operation is good. First there was a period of assimilation and we are very happy with the way in which they have adapted and how they are experiencing the situation. Competition is healthy. They bring real added value through their performance. I can only congratulate them for their daily work and their involvement.
What is your assessment of this year 2021?
It was a positive year overall. Tomorrow (Wednesday), we will play our 61st game since the start of the calendar year. The first six months, we will say that it was a period of adaptation, and the six months after a period of improvement. I have great memories of this year, of the supporters who are still there and I hope that the best sporting moments are still to come. In this period marked by the coronavirus, we must also pay attention to the health of our loved ones, this is the most important.
Should we expect a lot of movement at PSG during the winter transfer window?
For the moment, we are not going to talk too much. We will have meetings after the match in Lorient, we will see the decisions that will be taken in order to have a stronger squad to allow us to win and achieve our goals.
