Amiens-PSG (4-4): "Do you think it will be the same match in Dortmund?", Quips Tuchel

This Saturday in the league, PSG, led 3-0, brought the draw (4-4) of Amiens, 19th in Ligue 1 to kick off. Tuesday, the capital club faces Dortmund in the knockout stages of the Champions League. Thomas Tuchel, the coach, explains the reasons for this air gap and puts it into perspective in a context where Paris has voluntarily deprived itself of major elements.

How do you explain this start to the match?

THOMAS TUCHEL. We lacked concentration at the start of the match. It shows what mentality we have played in the last 20 games. It was too easy to strike and have chances against us. Three strikes, three goals! The team showed quality and mentality afterwards to return this match completely. We had match points with Angel (Di Maria) and Edi (Cavani). With the 4th strike, it's the 4th goal against us. The reasons are obvious. We played distracted and lacked concentration. We reacted, that's good, and we have to accept the draw.

Was it a physical problem, especially for Thiago Silva, struggling?

Not at all. For Thiago, that is enough. We decided to split the match between Thiago Silva and Marquinhos, between Gana (Gueye) and Marco (Verratti). It's like that. This is enough for both. Thiago played 65 minutes in Dijon, that's enough. For Marquinhos, this is also enough after three weeks off. Gana can play all the time.

Even if it was a revamped team, are you worried before moving to Dortmund in the Champions League?

Why? Do you think it will be the same match in Dortmund? I'm not worried. I trust. I know what happened today. It's human. We had a complicated game because we were led 3-0. It's too much. I know I can trust my team. I know what we did before. I'm not going to watch thirty minutes and get worried. You have to look at the performance and the mentality for 22 games.

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Why were you angry after 3-0?

It was after 1-0. We can not make montages and make believe that it was after 3-0. I tried to stay calm, as it has been shown 22 times before. Two or three days before a big game, the context is different. At first, we forgot to settle in the opposing camp. We invited Amiens to come and strike.

What is the condition of the players left to rest?

We have to decide on Monday if they're ready. It is also a question of rhythm, of ability. Rhythm doesn't come like that. There are different personalities, different characters. For some players, it is possible. For others, it is a little more difficult. We have to check tomorrow (Sunday) and decide Monday.

Did you expect another scenario before the Champions League with this bad match, this bad first period?

And now ? Do I have to lose my head? That's good for you. You can put doubts, doubts and more doubts. I expected nothing too much from this match. I always know what an effort it is not to lose. I know that for you, it's always normal that we win, that we win and that we win again, without a goal conceded. It's always easy for you because we have the best team and the best players. Half an hour without concentration, what happened can happen. It's Ligue 1, it's quality. "Worried, worried, worried", you have a lot of problems. No, it's life! It's football! When you're not focused, it can happen. It is the first time in 22 meetings that we have not been concentrated. I did not expect a 5-1! We showed a reaction but a little too late.

How many players are unsure about your starting lineup for Dortmund?

We have some ideas, but it's a decision between twelve and thirteen players in different structures. Always think. Tanguy Kouassi made an exceptional match today.

This is his 9th pro game…

A great match! He is very impressive. He shows his qualities in a difficult match, like Mitchel Bakker. We wanted to control the game higher. It shows all that we have done well before. We would never have taken three goals before considering how we played concentrated before.

You talk about a different structure. Is it possible to change the system in Dortmund on Tuesday?

Everything is possible in my head ( smiles ).