Mauricio Pochettino is good at PSG and reminds everyone this Friday. The Argentinian coach, questioned at a press conference on his role for next season, claims to be involved in the decision-making process for the coming weeks.
How do you prepare for this meeting between two teams that no longer play anything?
MAURICIO POCHETTINO. The most important thing is to keep fighting in the best way. It’s not often that we play games without stakes. There is honour, the desire to win, to give a good image, to remain professional. Football is also played with pride. It’s important to have all that for tomorrow’s game.
Are you tempted to try particular things tactically?
We changed the system in the last games. But now is not the time to look for different things either. The main thing is to finish the season well. There are many players who have goals with their national teams in June. Our duty is also to prepare them in the best possible way.
Are you focused on these two games or are you already thinking about recruitment?
The work continues throughout the season. There is analysis. We discover players and collect all the information possible to see who can improve the squad. This is not the time to conclude files, neither arrivals nor departures. The work is continuous.
Do you think the club is falling behind for next season?
Each club works in the way it sees fit. PSG has its strategy. He must hold it. I believe that no one is late or early. You should not compare PSG with other clubs. There are still two weeks left before the end of the season.
Donnarumma reiterated that the situation had to change with the guards. Should PSG make a choice between Donnarumma and Navas?
I don’t know what Gigio said. I prefer to hear the players first. The club will make the decision as they always have. Then everyone will have their own opinion. Maybe there will be change, maybe not.
You are talking about the “club”, not about you. Are you directly involved?
I think I’m still the club coach, right? (to smile). It’s clear. I am the coach. I am the club. Like everyone who works here. As a coach, I am in the club’s organization chart for the decision-making process.
Sunday evening, there will be the UNFP Trophies. Do you think that Kylian Mbappé can take the floor to announce something about his future?
This is a question to ask Kylian. I hope not because we will be in Qatar (laughs). But if we have to wait for something, we hope it will be a positive communication for PSG.
If we take stock of the season, what did your team miss?
We lose on penalties in the Coupe de France in a particular context, with players concerned by the national team. We deserved a lot more after 90 minutes. In the Champions League, if we look at the last confrontations, we were the team closest to eliminating Real Madrid. We had moments in this game that cost us dearly. We did not achieve what we wanted. You have to get back on your feet and keep trying. We had some difficult times but the team was able to revive and win Ligue 1. It should also be underlined.
