After his team’s draw (1-1) on OL’s lawn, Parisian coach Mauricio Pochettino stopped at a press conference. There has been a lot of talk about his team’s game, the changes he made to change the scenario or the Parisian midfielder.
Your changes completely changed the game of PSG during the second half. Kehrer scores on an assist from Michut, another incoming. Isn’t that the illustration of the difference between the first and the second half of your team?
“The purpose of the changes is to bring freshness, according to the unfolding situations. Today, I’m happy that they brought the enthusiasm and energy that we needed to the team. Edouard, like Xavi or Thilo, participated in the construction of the goal. They were good. I’m happy with what they brought to the team. “
With so many absent, can we draw an objective assessment of such a meeting?
“We have to analyze each match in relation to our own situation. You don’t have to think about what could or should have happened. We have to stick to reality, and we can very clearly do an analysis. “
How do you analyze your team’s very complicated first hour of play, failing to put in any speed and enthusiasm?
“Yes, we had a lot of trouble getting the ball around. He was moving far too slowly. We conceded a goal very early in the game. Lyon stuck to their game plan, defending very low and limiting space. We made a lot of mistakes, rushing around and conceding a few transitions. We went through some difficult times, but I’m pretty happy. “
Beyond the collective performance, players have missed out, such as Wijnaldum. Do you think you will put him in the best possible conditions by regularly changing his position on the pitch?
“Are you talking about today for Wijnaldum?” It is not a question of positioning, but rather of the individual form of the player, of his experience in the position in which he evolves. In football, in this type of team, that’s not a problem. “
In the last few weeks you’ve been talking a lot about progressing in the game. Have you felt your team more comfortable on the pitch?
“I didn’t talk about progression (embarrassed laughter). I do not understand this question. What is the question ? Progress is a steady state from which you can work your plan. Football is constantly dynamic, and circumstances change things. The virus forces you to adapt to different situations. So the progression of what? It’s difficult to talk about progression, because in football everything is very subjective. The circumstances are what they are. We speak above all in result to derive an analysis. “
Since the start of the season, you have alternated between Verratti, Paredes and sometimes Danilo Pereira. What determines this choice? The identity of the opponent or the physical state of your players?
“It is above all the circumstances of the team. The availability of certain players on the field. The game plan too. Before, I was specifically asked a question about players capable of playing in several positions. Today, Marco was able to go from number 8, to number 10 and finally to number 6 at the end of the match, and was very good throughout the match. He changed positions three times in 90 minutes. But it is a mixture of several elements. The circumstances of the team made us think that Marco was going to help the team the most in this position. “
