PSG-Strasbourg: with so many injured, Tuchel confronted with a "real headache"

It's not really a gift.

On the eve of Christmas Eve, it is almost an entire team that will be on the side at PSG.

Ten packages, maybe eleven with that of a Kylian Mbappé with singing adductors… The last meeting of the year on Wednesday evening in front of Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes has everything for Thomas Tuchel.

While waiting to decide, at the end of the day's training session, on the participation of Mbappé, the Parisian coach gave his impressions before the 17th day of Ligue 1 which will pit his team against the Alsatians.

With all these injuries, is this meeting against Strasbourg complex for the coach?

THOMAS TUCHEL.

Yes, it's really a puzzle because I'm not sure about the form of the players.

Guys are in a risk zone…. I still have to speak with the doctor, the physiotherapists and the players to decide what I'm going to do.

Does the possibility of not finishing first at the end of the 1st part of the season worry you?

No, I am not worried.

I'm very happy with our last performance (0-0 in Lille) because it allows us to stay at one point.

The most important thing was to stay close, to maintain at least a minimum gap.

We are able to start a series of victories again.

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VIDEO.

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What conclusions do you draw from this first part of the season?

I do not take stock before the last game.

But the Corona, the Champions League, injuries… give us a lot to think about.

We will take time to analyze this half-year and the management of these complicated situations, different from the ordinary.

There, we are 100% in tomorrow's game.

We'll talk about that again in January.

Do you know why PSG are creating fewer chances in recent weeks?

There isn't just one reason.

A lot of players are missing.

We did what was necessary by trying to play more balanced, more compact.

We lacked precision and rhythm, it's true.

We always try to improve.

But there is nothing to be worried about.

We also face a lot of opponents who play very low, who close the game. Playing teams that defend 10 is what is more complicated.

When this is the case, we tried to create opportunities by betting on counter-pressing and disorganizing the opponent.

And when you play Lille, it's already difficult to create chances.

But without Sarabia, Icardi, Mbappé and Neymar, it is even more so, without them we lack qualities, we must accept it.

What does Moise Kean bring to the attack on PSG?

Speed ​​and physique.

He is very humble, knows his role.

He is always ready to work and fight, get in touch with opposing central defenders but also defend and close spaces.

Can players little used until now like Colin Dagba and Julian Draxler be useful to you in this period?

I really hope.

We had too many injuries and it cost us dearly.

We need all the quality players.

But there is a question: how to manage them?

Tomorrow for example, it may be necessary for Julian Draxler to play.

But is this really reasonable?

I do not know.

It's a real vicious circle.

Unfortunately, that's how it is.

I saw our calendar for January - February - March and that (

Editor's note: the uncertainty about the proper use of players

), that will not change.

How do you judge Timothée Pembélé's first months and does he have any chances of being on the pitch against Strasbourg?

Today, I have not finished my analysis with him.

I am still in the evaluation phase.

In my mind, he's more comfortable and stronger as a fullback.

But he can play in all three inside or central defender.

But he is stronger on the right.

That means he's the 4th or 5th in the hierarchy.

He changed his mind a lot.

It was necessary.

And for that, he deserves playing time. I hope he will continue on this path.

Does the cascade of injuries require you to recruit to remain competitive in the second part of the season?

If everyone is there, it will help us a lot.

But here the situation is different.

But I don't know, I haven't thought too much about the transfer window yet.

Above all, we had to adapt.

We had a phase of the Champions League, complicated, very tight, it did not give us the opportunity to think of anything else.

The same with the matches against Lyon and Lille, very close to each other.

This is a particular situation in the world of football.

I don't know… The best would be especially if we had fewer injuries.

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What leverage could you activate in the recovery to avoid so many injuries?

Frankly I do not know.

We try everything, I assure you 100%.

We turn over each subject 1000 times to try to understand and adapt.

During the summer break, there were a lot of Covid cases at PSG.

In view of the holidays, have you given instructions to limit the risks?

That is a decision the club must make, it is up to them to manage this.

The club gave its advice.