Bordeaux and MU
: “I never said that one match is more important than another, but we have to manage the two matches together.
We have crucial matches waiting for us in C1, but it's a good pace.
We had a lot of time to recover after Leipzig and before and after Bordeaux.
So we don't need to think too much about who should play or not, to manage the minutes.
It's easier now. ”
"
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Critics of the game
: “If it reaches our locker room, it will make us more united.
For me it's clear.
I can understand the criticisms but we have different positions.
Those who criticize are supporters, guys in the stands or in front of their TV, journalists ... And honestly, if I had been in front of my television and had watched this match, I might have changed program too.
But I'm not in front of my TV, at home or in the stands.
I'm with my team, I fight with my players.
I live every step, every duel, every sprint with my team.
We are together.
The feeling is completely different than if you are in front of your TV or in the gallery.
I can understand that and accept it, but we also have to accept our feeling.
It was very hard work and I got the impression that the journalists wanted to convince me of their opinion.
I don't have the same position because I'm a small part of this group. ”
"Marco Verratti can change everything in our plans and in the field"
Marco Verratti
: “He can change everything in our plans and on the pitch.
He only returned for 12 minutes on Tuesday, but it was enough to make an extraordinary performance.
With his individual quality, his experience, he had a great impact.
But we had only decided that he would be on the bench on the morning of the match, because he had only done a half-practice… He hasn't had a bad reaction since.
Maybe he can play a half against Bordeaux.
It gives us a lot of possibilities in the field, a lot of confidence and quality, that's clear. "
The form and the idea of proper preparation at the start of 2021
: “No, no preparation.
We will resume after the Christmas break and we will only have a few days before the first match.
For Marseille, Rennes and us, it's a big impact.
We are the only ones to have stopped the championship for three or four months.
And after, we are the only club to have resumed with two finals in the national cups, before the "Final 8" of the Champions League and to play with three matches per week since the resumption of the League 1. We are at 12th day in France, not in the other championships.
This is the reality, it is hard to manage.
We are not in the best physical condition because we lack preparation and it's a (vicious) circle: we take risks, for example with Marco Verratti, and we very quickly let players play after injuries.
We may make a lot of changes in defense tomorrow.
This necessarily has an influence on the automatic systems. "
"
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Hatem Ben Arfa
: “The greatest danger on the Bordeaux side?
Always him (smile).
He has already done it against us with Rennes (in the final of the Coupe de France in 2019), that's enough.
It doesn't have to be showing yet.
We have seen enough (smile). ”
The best phrase in the middle
: "I can't answer that question, although I can understand you tried (smile)."
If I answer, I'll have a problem with all the players I don't name!
I have several possibilities, good mixes with different players.
We must also admit that it depends on the physical state, the state of mind, the opponent ... We have quality if everyone is there, but we had too many injuries.
Marco's return gives everyone a lot of confidence. ”
"It's hard to create chances against Bordeaux, but we will try"
Bordeaux
: “We expect a 4-4-2 with Ben Arfa as the second attacker.
It's more of a 10 than a second striker by the way… In short, it's hard to create chances against this team but we will try.
But we shouldn't expect too much from the defense, if some are playing when they haven't had much playing time so far.
I wait until we have more possession and be active.
We expect a very tight, disciplined team with the technical qualities to get out of the pressure with the ball.
It will be a good game. ”
Mauro Icardi
: “We took the risk of letting him strike in training.
He hasn't had a bad reaction so far.
I hope he can be with the group today.
I don't know yet if the doctor is okay with him doing all the training.
But if so, we may be able to leave him on the bench and give him a few minutes.
He worked hard for several weeks.
It's hard for a player like him who lives to score, who loves the field ... He stayed away from the field for a long time.
It was too long for him and for us. ”
Remarks gathered during a press conference
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