PSG: "There is an alchemy between us" ... Thomas Tuchel about Angel Di Maria

Thomas Tuchel was ambitious this Saturday on the eve of PSG's trip to Lille at the end of the 21st day of L1. The Parisian coach who confirmed the packages of Marquinhos, Juan Bernat and Thilo Kehrer, also explained that Layvin Kurzawa and Edinson Cavani will be sidelined this weekend due to a possible transfer.

What match do you expect in Lille?

THOMAS TUCHEL. It will be a tough game against the best home team. We expect an opponent with a lot of qualities, with a very tight and disciplined 4-4-2. They have qualities in transition and offensively. We will have to be careful. It is a great challenge, a great challenge. I hope we are ready.

Angel Di Maria is the player you use the most. What relationship do you have with him?

I have loved it for years. Since watching football, I've watched it. I was a big fan when he was at Real. He always works for the team, he is always there first at the training center, every day he is competitive, he does everything to be decisive. He is super professional and very nice. We spoke for the first time in Barcelona before the 2018 World Cup and, since the first minute, there has been an alchemy between us. I am glad he changed his mind and stayed. He has everything to be a key and important player for PSG. He could play on any team.

What does Keylor Navas bring to the group?

He brings personality to the group. He's a great player, he has experience. He was the goalkeeper for Real Madrid and perhaps the most difficult role in football. He transmits his confidence, he is always cool, calm and positive. It's good for me, for the team and for the locker room.

Marquinhos injured his thigh again. How are you trying to prevent injuries?

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We are careful, every day we talk to the physiotherapists and the doctors before and after training. There are solutions to manage match minutes. We have three injured players, they are three players too many, but in each team that plays as many games as we do, there are injured. There is not a team that plays as many games and has no injuries. Unfortunately, this is how it is. We don't like it but it's reality.

Have you already planned the rotations between now and the Dortmund match on February 18?

I have not spoken with any player or with my Dortmund staff. But on the other hand, you talk to me about it all the time at a press conference. We are talking about Lille, Pau, Lorient. It may not be good for you but it is reality.