Between the trip to Monaco (4-1) and that to Reims next Wednesday, PSG goes to Lorient, this Sunday (8:55 pm, live on Eurosport 2), to face Lorient, leader of Ligue 2.
Coach Thomas Tuchel presented himself at the press conference with a smile but also a list of absent for this meeting: Cavani, Meunier, Aouchiche, Bernat, Marquinhos, Verratti, Kouassi and Kehrer. Which does not suit him in his management of the troops.
How is your group approaching this new match?
THOMAS TUCHEL. Unfortunately, I have a large list of absentees. A week ago, we had 25 players in training. Everybody was there. It won't be like that tomorrow (Sunday). They all have only minor injuries, but they are unavailable. That means that we are only 16 players and 3 goalkeepers for the match in Lorient. All the available ones leave.
What does it change for you?
It changes a lot because you can't manage. We have to adapt to the situation. Normally, we like to manage playing times. Here, we are forced to deal with the 16 players who are there. It is obviously not a problem to find eleven holders able to win. But I'm a little worried about having to use some players too much. Because we have no alternatives.
What do you expect from players like Choupo-Moting or Kurzawa in this type of meeting?
I am convinced that we will play with the right attitude. But it can be a very difficult match. It's a very strong team in Ligue 2, it's outside. Lorient has nothing to lose and we cannot expect too much from the new ones who lack a bit of rhythm. That's why I'm not a big fan of changing everything. With this list, it's too much… I'm just waiting for us to play seriously, to be attentive to the details and to continue with our state of mind.
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Are you worried about Cavani's new package, like in Monaco?
I am worried about every injured player. I don't like it, I want to have everyone on the ground. This is why I was very happy last week because we were full, it was an extraordinary situation. There, "Edi" does not feel free with his pubic pain. What can we do ? We have to adapt, accept, do the care, the treatment. And we hope that he will make his return very very quickly.
Is Layvin Kurzawa leaving this winter possible?
But we need him! I did not speak with him, nor with anyone about a departure. We have Juan (Bernat) and Layvin for a position. It's good. But there, Juan is injured so what would we do without Layvin? It is not possible. He trains well. It is up to him to show that he is capable. He made good games for us. He should play tomorrow (Sunday). It's good that he is there. He's an important player on the left.
What do you think of Neymar's defensive efforts?
Ney, the best thing is to watch his games. It is super-important, super-decisive. He works defensively, closes spaces. He is the leader we want. It's really a good time for him. The challenge is to continue like this, to keep the spirit and the way of working. It's good, but it's just the beginning. We are in January. You know that I am convinced that football is a collective effort. As I often say: we attack together, we defend together. If we do that, we are a very dangerous team. If we don't, we are a normal team. And with a normal team, we don't do great things.