Tuchel on the conquest of the title: "It's not a sprint, it's a marathon"

The PSG are less afraid of the competition

: “I just have the impression that the others know that we are tired physically and of course mentally.

It gives the opportunity to fight with us.

We have a lot of injuries, absences after the Champions League.

We can therefore feel mental fatigue.

This is not an excuse, it is only the reality.

This is the problem.

For that, we lost too many points (in the league).

But it is a situation to which we must adapt and which we must accept.

Tomorrow (Sunday), it will be another big challenge because Lille is very strong.

Playing there is always a big challenge.

Today, I really feel like we're ready for this. ”

3-5-2 in Lille

: “I would not say in which structure we will play tomorrow, but the reasons why we played in 3-5-2 are still the same.

It hasn't changed for three days ... It depends on whether we have enough defenders (smile). "

(Danilo, Diallo and Bernat are fixed, editor's note)

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The porosity of the defense

: “There are several reasons for this.

The most important thing is that we have a lot of changes, and that we play with players who are tired or who are used very quickly after an injury.

In the other championships, we can see that there is not either a team that dominates as we have done in recent years.

It's not like that, it's tighter.

We have to accept it and not start to find too many problems.

This is the situation in many competitions in Europe, and therefore also in France.

It means that we have to be more constant, fight even more and not accept.

We still have two games to play (before the break) and it will be very difficult in Lille, that's clear. ”

(before the 2-0 victory against Lorient, PSG remained in five matches with at least one goal conceded and six goals conceded over this period, editor's note).

"We miss the supporters a lot"

The Ultras' visit to Camp des Loges this Saturday

: “It's essential for the players and everyone.

We miss the supporters.

Normally, it gives a lot of energy.

This is another reason why I think the situation is what it is in the European championships.

Big teams are a bit mentally tired, there is a lack of support from the supporters and things are tighter.

So it was a good signal, we tell ourselves that they are with us, always behind us, that's good.

But we miss them very much. ”

Ikoné, Maignan, Soumaré and Weah trained at PSG

: "They have very strong guys, they are capable of playing at all levels, I am convinced of it, because they have shown it in the Champions League and that they still show it in Ligue 1. They are still showing in the Europa League that they are very strong and that they have the quality, the mentality to play at a very high level over time.

It is the most important." 

The difficulties of Angel Di Maria

: “Maybe it's also related to his contractual situation (free in 2021, editor's note).

I can't say it, I don't know.

But it can have a big influence.

He's a very sensitive guy.

He needs our support.

And he still has my full support.

I like Angel, his effort and his impact.

In the last few weeks, it was a little harder for him.

He lost a little too many easy balls, it was not decisive enough, not free enough, not like before.

But he has my full support and there is a great possibility of seeing him start in Lille. ”

"We have the right to have confidence in ourselves"

Lille and the title course 

: “The situation is very similar in other competitions in Europe.

The level is very tight.

There are great teams that have played a lot in the Champions League, a lot of players called upon by the national teams.

I have the impression that teams are mentally tired in all the championships and others are taking the opportunity to get closer.

This is the situation.

I expect a closer classification than last season.

But it's not a sprint.

It's a marathon.

Each point is therefore decisive and each game must be played seriously.

There are also, as against Lorient (2-0 victory last Wednesday, note), matches in which it is necessary to be lucky.

Now, we face the leader, perhaps to take first place (the ranking here).

We also have confidence and we have the right to have confidence in ourselves.

But we still have to show.

It's really difficult to play in Lille and that won't change tomorrow. ”

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The main qualities of the LOSC

: “They are very strong collectively, in the counter-attacks, in the recovery of the ball and to play blocks very quickly, always four with the two attackers axial and the two on the sides.

For me, the key points are to have possession, for sure, to do a very vigilant, very aggressive counter-pressing, and if you win the ball you should absolutely not lose it afterwards.

It's a very difficult situation because if you win the ball and lose it in stride, it is the most dangerous against their counter-attacks.

If you can't stop the counterattacks before they start, it's really difficult to defend because they always attack with four, they are very aggressive, very fast and have a lot of qualities in front of goal. "

Leadership

: "I really had the feeling that we had good training sessions yesterday (Friday) and today, with a lot of quality, a good state of mind.

Gigi Buffon explained in an interview that after major competitions such as a World Cup or the Champions League, there is general fatigue.

It is reality.

I'm not saying it's impossible to have a good game, no.

It's possible.

But it's more demanding than usual.

Without spectators who give a lot of energy, it will be harder.

Not impossible, but more difficult.

It is reality.

We adapt.

The best thing is to accept this reality, without using it as an excuse.

We have already prepared for this match, explained the strategy offensively and defensively.

Tomorrow, we'll have a final meeting to be ready.

I will ask everything from my team on the pitch. ”

"We are strong enough to win this title"

A key moment in the conquest of the title

: “I am convinced that we cannot lose the championship now.

For me, the months of January and February will be decisive, after a small break (another match next Wednesday and resumed on January 3, editor's note) and without the Champions League.

It will be natural and easier to stay with full concentration on Ligue 1. We have a lot of matches to play at that time, just before C1.

It will be a decisive phase.

We don't have a boxing-day match (unlike the Premier League) and that's good because we need a little vacation.

But I have the feeling and I really believe that we are strong enough to win this title. ” 

Remarks gathered during a press conference

Read also

• League 1 standings