Diagnosed positive for Covid-19 on the eve of the trip to Angers last Saturday, Mauricio Pochettino spent the week away from his troops.
Isolated in his hotel room in the heart of Paris, the Argentinian coach nevertheless followed all the training sessions live thanks to the cameras with which the training center is equipped.
He was also able to deliver his messages to his players through his assistants, Miguel D'Agostino and Jesus Perez.
On the eve of the Montpellier reception this Friday evening at the Parc des Princes, his pair of assistants answered journalists' questions at a press conference, without specifying whether Pochettino would be back on the bench on Friday evening.
Kylian Mbappé has not scored in four games.
Should we be worried about him?
JESUS PEREZ
.
He is a very important player for us.
I said after Angers that he had contributed to the victory of PSG by occupying several different positions during the match.
Kylian is the league's top scorer.
Of course, everyone can do better.
But we are very happy with his investment, his work and we are very happy with what he does.
After Angers you explained that you asked him different things.
What did you mean?
I just said that we changed his role during the game.
He started the game on the left side and Mauricio, with whom we were communicating, decided to put him back in line.
This is where he expressed himself best.
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How did you focus your work week?
We had a very good week of work.
The players who played a lot were able to recover after the very dense period of four games in thirteen days we have played since our arrival.
The others were able to step up.
We are very happy with the week.
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How did you manage the training sessions in the absence of Pochettino?
It is true that the week has been strange, it was strange for us not to have Mauricio by our side.
We can thank the players and the staff and emphasize the professionalism they have shown this week.
But despite the sanitary rules, Mauricio was able to supervise things thanks to the cameras and follow all the training sessions live.
Does Mauricio find the time long at home?
This situation is not obvious.
But Mauricio is a positive and strong person who has followed the training day by day.
He is fine.
Like anyone who has had this virus, he faces a few constraints.
But with the help of the medical staff, he saw it in the best possible way.
He is fine.
What's the secret to your success for the past nine years that you've worked together?
We've been a team for ten years.
In all the teams where he has worked, Mauricio has always pulled everyone up, the players and the staff.
With him, everyone gets better every day.
In the absence of Pochettino what is your room for maneuver in training and in matches?
It's very strange not to have Mauricio.
We are a very united group where cohesion is important.
We try to make sure that everything is as normal as possible in training.
But everyone misses Mauricio's aura.
Its impact during matches is significant.
It is the leader of the team, who is in charge, who decides on strategy and changes.
Fortunately we were able to communicate with him during the match in Angers.
