Dimitri Payet believes that PSG, defeated Thursday in Lens (1-0), is a "wounded beast" which we should be wary of.
Asked this Friday, he expects a complicated match on Sunday at the Parc des Princes in an atmosphere that does not make him shudder.
After the defeat of PSG in the Champions League final, you posted a tweet where you made fun of PSG.
Can you come back to this story?
DIMITRI PAYET.
It is not a story.
It's a tweet that made me laugh when I saw this GIF.
So I reposted it.
Before we complained that the players were talking bad stuff, now when we spoof it's the buzz.
It made me laugh, there is no more history than that.
Did you add pressure to yourself after this "chambering"?
I do not regret, it's fair game.
I remember one of our matches in Limassol in the Europa League
(Editor's note: in the fall of 2018)
where the official PSG site had made a tweet.
Between enemies, we carry each other.
I don't regret and it doesn't put any pressure on me.
Are you ready to deliver a big game in this clasico?
I don't wait to make media outings to make a great game!
I have prepared myself to give the best.
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You almost signed to PSG in January 2011. Can you tell us about this episode?
The hardest part was coming back to Saint-Etienne.
It was not easy with the supporters and with the coach.
But it was an experience that allowed me to forge a character because when a stadium like Geoffroy Guichard is against you, it's complicated.
But it is a step that I was able to take.
You had a truncated preparation because of the Covid-19.
How did this period go?
It's rather boring
(sic)
because we find ourselves isolated, we can not do anything.
You can't even work alone.
I didn't have too many symptoms, but the first three or four days I had a headache and body aches.
The recovery was a bit complicated, because I was running out of breath.
But it's getting better and better, although I think it will take a little while longer for me to be 100% physically.
There are many uncertainties about the presence of several PSG stars contaminated by Covid.
Is it the year or never for OM?
We know who makes the difference in a team like PSG.
If they're not there it's better, but there are still some quality players, so it will remain a complicated game.
PSG is an injured animal after its defeat at Lens.
Did you go from a game where you had everything to gain to a game where you had a lot to lose?
The beast is injured, yes.
But they won't play against us like they played against Lens.
They are going to be put together and it doesn't matter which players they will miss.
They have a series in progress
(Editor's note: PSG has not lost to OM for nearly nine years)
and they don't want it to end, and we want it to end.
Dimitri Payet judges the recruitment of OM as "intelligent", as with the arrival of the Japanese Nagatomo, here to his left./AFP/Nicolas Tucat
Is it disturbing to prepare for a match against PSG without knowing which players will be on the pitch?
We mainly focus on the way we play.
We have played against them a lot of times, and, even if some players are missing, they have a rather particular way of playing.
When we have the names of the holders, we will advise on the qualities of each.
Is this match exciting given the context?
Not at all.
When you do this job, it's to play in full stadiums, while watching the games on TV, it even becomes boring
(sic
).
There are no people, no atmosphere, it plays on a false rhythm.
The context is like that, you have to deal with it and stay focused on the ground.
Is Florian Thauvin OM's best recruit this summer?
We managed to have a great season last year without Florian.
But his first match against Brest sums up his importance in the team.
He was strong and efficient.
So obviously it is a major reinforcement for us.
He wants to replay, and that's good for us.
Are you reassured by OM's transfer window this summer?
The great positive point is that there is no start.
We will stay on a framework for two years.
It's a smart recruitment with Léo
(Editor's note: Leonardo Balerdi)
, Pape
(Editor's note: Gueye)
and Nagatomo.
We have strengthened ourselves with quality players.
If we manage to keep this group, we can be a candidate for the podium.
You always seem so irascible on the pitch.
Why ?
It does not get better with age because I maroon more and more!
I know that sometimes I unpin it, it's difficult to work on it, it's my character.