It was Luis Enrique who was well aware of the very average match delivered by his team against Toulouse, despite the score (3-0), who presented himself at a press conference this Friday evening. But the Parisian coach still had good things to say on certain points, notably concerning João Neves or Milan Skriniar. He has also already planned for Bayern / PSG on Tuesday evening, capital. Here are his full remarks, translated by us.
What did you think of the performance of Joao Neves, who scored in the first half then played a more unexpected role in the second half?
“I believe that matches which take place after an international break and before a Champions League match are always difficult. That was the case again today, against a worthy Toulouse team. It's a very good team, very well put together by Carles Martinez Novell, and which has always created problems for us.
“To tell the truth, I am even more satisfied with Neves’ second half”
Concerning João Neves, he played number 6 in the first half. I wanted to use his ability to restart from the back more in the second half. He was very good in this lower position. When a midfielder scores, it's a very good thing, which we emphasize regularly. To tell the truth, I'm even more satisfied with his second half, in a position he doesn't know too much about. I was very happy with the options he gave while facing goal. »
PSG was particularly effective this evening against goal. How do you explain the difference between Ligue 1 and the Champions League?
“They are two completely different competitions. We have very realistic statistics in Ligue 1 and very far from our level in the Champions League, however. It's not logical, but a competition like the Champions League is short, with few matches, so regularity is not important. You have to be good in decisive moments, that's all. If we look, we have exceptional created chances statistics. How is it said in French? (He repeats it in French) Exceptional. The effectiveness is not yet there, but it will come. She's not going to stay that low. When will this happen? I don't know. I'm not a medium. »
PSG appeared for a very long time without panache or relief in this match. Most of the evening starters should still be there on Tuesday against Bayern Munich. Are you more worried or confident after this match?
“We were up to the task, without being brilliant. But we expected this”
“You say that the evening starters will be there again on Tuesday… How many do you think will be there (smile)? You have to go to the Cirque du Soleil to see something exceptional. I think we played a very complete match, very good. Many players who started tonight don't have many minutes to get their teeth into this season. It was a very difficult match from the start. We lived up to it, without being brilliant. But we expected this. »
Achraf Hakimi wore the captain's armband. He is an executive on the field and in the locker room. He should extend his contract with PSG, do you confirm it?
“Until the club announces an extension, I will say that I have no news. I have nothing to say about that. »
We were able to observe a sequence of almost 60 minutes with PSG who had the ball but showed themselves to be very harmless, even sterile. Does this bother you or is it part of the process?
“Could we have done better? Yes, but who plays 38 or 60 matches brilliantly in a year? Person “
” It's true. Toulouse also created three opportunities from very clear recovery errors on our part. You cannot allow the opponent to have chances to strike and approach your goal so easily. We were closer to equalizing than 2-0 for a long time. We were lucky, but football is fickle. The match was open for Toulouse until the last minute. Toulouse could have scored. I have to accept reality, whether I'm happy or unhappy. But given the circumstances, with the desire to give minutes to those who play less and rest to those who play a lot, I can say that our objectives have been accomplished. Could we have done better? Yes, but who plays 38 or 60 matches brilliantly in a year? Person. We will not be the first to do so. »
What elements give you confidence in your team before the match against Bayern Munich?
“Bayern won 3-0, so we will arrive with the same level of confidence on Tuesday”
“This match is nothing like the one in Munich. It is impossible to compare the two meetings. Bayern won 3-0, so we will arrive with the same level of confidence on Tuesday. It's important to arrive having won. It's not decisive but it's good. »
What did you think of Milan Skriniar's performance this evening?
“Skriniar has a professionalism that is within the reach of very few players”
“Milan has a great level of play, always consistent. He restarts the game and defends well. He has a professionalism that is within the reach of very few players, he is always ready. He has played a lot and a lot less this season, but he is still at full strength. He is a top professional. »
The start of Matvey Safonov against Lens was justified by tactical reasons. Is it the same this evening?
« Oui. »
Safonov always responded when he played. Can he call the hierarchy into question?
“(He thinks and pouts, before speaking in French) Maybe yes, maybe no. You see that I am improving in your language. It’s the Versailles accent, that (laughter). »
Isn't the most important thing to work on your heads before this big Champions League match?
“We are a team that has the resources to score more goals”
“European matches are more difficult to play than league matches. It's a faster competition, consistency is not rewarded. I don't know how many points will be needed to qualify, but we need them. The Champions League is a competition of moments. You can have lost four matches in the League phase and still be European champion. I repeat, but our results do not match our game. I am convinced of that after watching our matches again. We have to improve. We are a team that has the resources to score more goals. We'll see if we can do it. »
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