After the PSG's big victory (9-0) at Le Havre, Thomas Tuchel, the Parisian coach, immediately went to the press room to analyze this first recovery success.
Above all, how did you feel seeing the audience?
THOMAS TUCHEL. It was a surprise, because in Germany, Spain, England, Italy, they play without. We like that. It really changes the mood. But the most important thing is not that a coach wants spectators. The most important thing is that everyone is healthy.
Did you miss it?
Yes a lot. It was a pleasure to play here, in a very friendly atmosphere. Everyone benefited from being together.
Do you hope there will be more than 5000 people for the Cup finals at the Stade de France?
We are the only country with spectators. I think we have to be careful. The decision is not up to me. It was good today (Editor's note: this Sunday), but I especially hope that everyone was safe.
What can you learn from this success?
I have to watch this match again. The objective of our 4-4-2 was to find our structure offensively. There are situations to improve in the recovery of the ball. But that was not the goal. We absolutely have to go through friendly matches to find our rhythm.
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How do you judge the state of form of Neymar, Mbappé or Icardi?
We started the recovery with groups of five players, then ten. Now we are in the last phase. I saw a very concentrated, very calm team. They like to train together. They are really happy to be in the field. It was seen today. They scored great goals. That's good, we must continue now.
With five goals, the team in the first period was better than the second, right?
Oh, yes, but it's Pablo's fault! (Editor's note: Sarabia diverted in front of the line a strike which took the direction of the goal) . He stopped the tenth goal! No, seriously, the two teams played very well. I am very happy. I am always sad to have lost three key players for the Champions League with Tanguy (Kouassi), Edi (Cavani) and Thomas Meunier. It makes things more difficult. Now all the players have been very good tonight. It is absolutely necessary that everyone stays like this. We found a good atmosphere, a good atmosphere between us. We are ready for the future. It was a good start.
What do you think of Atalanta Bergamo that you will face in a quarter?
It's going to be complicated. Eight teams will want to win this competition. It's going to be a very difficult and very close match. Bergamo has many qualities. We saw it on Saturday against Juventus (Editor's note: 2-2) : it's a very balanced team, very offensive, very physical. But now is not the time to lose your mind thinking about this match. The only match in my mind is Saint-Etienne (July 24, Coupe de France final) . After, it will be Lyon (July 31, final of the League Cup) . And then we will have twelve days to prepare for the Champions League. It is necessary to do this step by step. The first step will be the match against Saint-Etienne.
How do you manage your preparation?
To stop four months, we never did that! It is not a preparation phase, but rather an adaptation phase. For example, during the week of recovery, we adapted… to soccer shoes! We are very careful, very attentive in this phase, because the most important is that we all arrive for the final against Saint-Etienne, fresh in the head and in the legs. For that, you have to adapt, stay calm and careful. You shouldn't do too much. It would be a big mistake.
