Between a cold shower last Tuesday and the Turkish bath in Istanbul, next Wednesday, a "dessert" with Burgundy sauce for PSG.
This is the term used by Stéphane Jobard, coach of a DFCO traveling to the Parc des Princes this Saturday (9 p.m., in camera).
"We are between two Champions League matches, we are a bit of a dessert," he smiles.
I am wary of the pride of wounded animals.
We expect to suffer. ”
Indeed, the Parisian beast is injured.
Literally, with still many players glued to the infirmary (Verratti, Paredes, Icardi, Kehrer, Gueye) and several uncertain elements (Marquinhos, Draxler, Navas, Florenzi, Jesé), not to mention the suspended (Di Maria, Kurzawa) and those that could be spared (Mbappé, Kimpembe).
But it is above all an image, with a PSG which remains on a sad performance against Manchester United last Tuesday (1-2).
"I do not want defeat to become a habit," insists Thomas Tuchel, promising a "reaction".
"
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-" It's a ridiculous question ": Tuchel (very) tense at a press conference
Without disrespecting them, it is not however this opposition to the last of the Ligue 1 class that will provide answers to the many questions posed by Tuesday's poor performance.
Especially since we wonder if the questions are really asked.
Because several days later, coach Tuchel is still struggling to explain the comeback seen against MU.
"My head is turned towards Dijon," he swears.
This press conference is geared towards MU.
In my head, it's already over.
This is the context in football and here in Paris.
We must forget.
If we had won, do you think we would party for three days? ”
Except that in order to hope for a cure, you must already make a diagnosis.
"For me, the club is here at Camp des Loges"
Thomas tuchel
Instead, the German technician, irritable to the media, prefers to drape himself in a victim position, arguing that his players "are not robots" and clearly displaying the distance that exists between him and management.
“For me, the club is here at Camp des Loges,” he says.
And so not in the Factory offices?
In these conditions, it is not easy to talk about an extension, when his contract will expire next June… “For me, that does not change anything in my work.
If we don't talk about an extension, that's good for me, we have to accept, there is no feeling.
I do my job with my staff in the best possible way.
I will give everything to win.
I am with my team and I want to win everything.
It's clear."
Recall that Tuchel had said not to have spoken to Leonardo about the entire international truce, following the reframing in order of the Brazilian sports director after his incendiary exit about the transfer window.
Frosty atmosphere in between.
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Moreover, speaking of transfer window, one can imagine that "Leo" did not frankly consult his coach about the last recruits.
This is what we understand when we see Tuchel discover that Moise Kean speaks French when he arrives at Camp des Loges.
"The critics ?
It's normal.
This is my experience since my arrival.
Since the defeat against MU (in 2019, editor's note), I know it's my responsibility if we lose.
I can live with it.
That's why I don't read anything, I don't google my name.
I know how hard it is.
It's OK.
I don't expect anything else.
I can imagine what's going on outside.
I can rely on myself, my staff, everyone at Camp des Loges and my relationship with the team.
I hope that we will produce results, it is necessary. ”
And urgent.
Especially in the Champions League.
Istanbul Basaksehir on the menu Wednesday
In the meantime, make way for this duel, to say the least, unbalanced against Dijon, a team that often serves as a pain reliever for Paris Saint-Germain.
The capital club has indeed an immaculate record against the DFCO at Parc des Princes in Ligue 1 (5 wins in 5 matches, 0 goal conceded) and has won in nine of the ten confrontations between the two teams (1 defeat in Dijon in 2019).
Add to this that Yassine Benzia, Romain Amalfitano and Roger Assalé are missing, and you obtain a potential expiatory victim for Neymar and others.
"Everyone expects an easy 6-0, but we can not think that", swears Tuchel, who underlines the Dijon qualities during "offensive transitions".
Charge to PSG to serve his own, a bit more substantial, to afford a quiet evening before challenging Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday (6:55 p.m.), in Turkey.
To navigate in the joy and increase the odds of “Herr Tuchel”, however, it will take a little more than that.
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League 1 standings
