Before the match against Dijon, this Saturday at 5.30 p.m., at the Parc des Princes, where Paris will notably be deprived of suspended Verratti and Neymar, and Thiago Silva (injured), Thomas Tuchel appeared quite relaxed at a press conference this Friday. And announced why he still intends to start Cavani.
What news from the group?
THOMAS TUCHEL . Ney (Neymar) and Marco (Verratti) are suspended. Thiago Silva, Herrera Choupo-Moting and Dagba are injured. All the others are available for training this afternoon ( note: at 4 p.m. ).
Do you expect a reaction from Dijon after your great success with them in the quarterfinals of the Coupe de France on February 12 (6-1)?
Yes. We had a very close first half. We scored a lot in the second. But this team can defend very well and they are very dangerous in counterattack with long balls for Tavarès. They play very direct. We must continue our serious work on the ground. As usual. We are strong at the Park. We want to win.
How are you going to revive Icardi while not breaking the dynamics of Cavani who has just scored his 200th goal?
It's always the same question. Before it was: why is Edi on the bench and Mauro playing? The answer was because he scored goals. Now we have changed because we trust all the players including Edi. And I felt like it was an important moment for Edi. He scored, made an assist, created opportunities. And There you go. With everyone it's like that, With the attackers, it's even more like that: when they are decisive, they stay on the field, it's clear.
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Can Cavani's defensive qualities also be an asset for him?
Yes of course it is its strength. His physical capacity. It is a great advantage for him but Mauro also did very very well. He is very intelligent and very disciplined. Both have a bit of the same defensive influence for me. This is very important for Dortmund. For me, between the two, it's more a feeling of who can start and who can enter the field. In the last matches and the last trainings Edi had regained confidence. He scored a very important goal against Lyon and registered his 200th at the Parc. It gives a lot of confidence. Now is not the time for me to stop it.
Can Verratti's suspension against Dijon before that against Dortmund be an opportunity to prepare you in the middle for the reception of the Germans? And is Kouassi a possible option?
Of course Tanguy is always an option. Because he has talent, ability and personality. I have great confidence in him. We have to play without Marco twice and between the two is Lyon and Strasbourg. We can experiment. We're going to try things.
Have you been doing any specific psychological work since the defeat at Dortmund (2-1)?
No. It's time to have confidence. Yes we lost a 2-1 match. We didn't make our best game. Here it is, it can happen to lose in Dortmund, they are very strong at home and bought two key players this winter with Haaland and Can. They are stronger. We arrived there with a lack of rhythm for some important players. But we lost one game in 20 or more. You have to have confidence. And let the players take responsibility. Because they absolutely want to return this match against Dortmund. They want to win tomorrow (Saturday), in Lyon and Strasbourg before.
Is Paredes still in the game? How are your relations with him?
Relationships ? Good! Why ? Because nothing has changed. In Dortmund, I had to choose 16 players and I am sad that he could not be with us. But it was not against him it was for Tanguy Kouassi who can play 6 and central defender. These are never personal choices but always sporty. It's like that. He is super professional. I am absolutely convinced that he will show things again.
Thilo Kehrer and Juan Bernat had a difficult season. How do you judge their returns?
I am surprised because Thilo returned after a long injury. And he is in great shape, very reliable, very strong, very aggressive. It was a nice surprise. I'm happy with him. With Meunier's suspension and Dagba's injury, he will play. For Bernat it is a little different. He missed a lot of games but we also have Layvin (Kurzawa) who made good games. It is a challenge between the two. We have three games to decide.
The Brazilian media evoke Neymar's desire to participate in the Tokyo Olympics. Is it currently a topic of discussion?
Oh no ! ( laughs )
And what do you think of the prospect of seeing him go to the Games with Mbappé?
In the same team? Not possible ( laughs ). I heard that the two had talked about this thing. I am happy that this is not a question for me but for the two players, the club and their selections. I am not involved and especially not now.
With Thiago Silva's injury, will you take advantage of the next three games to put Marquinhos back in central defense?
Yes it is a possibility. We have to think a little. I really like when Marqui plays in the midfield. He has the capacity and the energy to help everywhere. When he plays in central defense he is super important but his influence is greater in the middle with his energy and his spirit. We have a few games to try several things before deciding.
In Dortmund your players ran 5 km less than the Germans. Is it due to a physical problem or mental state?
It was our 14th game ( Editor's note: in 2020 ) and them their 7th. They had more holidays, a preparation phase. Perhaps that explains the difference. They also had an extra day to recover from their previous game. And we arrived with players who had been injured for weeks and who lacked rhythm. Maybe that influences this statistic. But yes Dortmund has shown its usual determination. We have a little time to regain rhythm. We will be physically and mentally ready to play this second leg.
