“The reaction was good,” promises Mauricio Pochettino, happy to see his players regain victory against Nimes (3-0) on Wednesday, three days after the “accident” in Lorient (3-2).
“The most important thing was to regain victory, it's done,” is satisfied Presnel Kimpembe, on
Canal +
.
Except that beyond the three points, there are not many reasons for satisfaction after this lackluster meeting against the red lantern in the Ligue 1 standings, apart from the vista of Angel Di Maria, the grinta of Moise Kean and the kick of an otherwise disappointing Kylian Mbappé.
The traditional blow of the breakdown in the second half
Moreover, if PSG opened the scoring early in the match, it was only thanks to a “gift” signed by Lamine Fomba, according to Jérôme Arpinon.
A mysterious pass intercepted by Di Maria.
"We were shy in the first period", plague the Nîmes coach, who was able to find the words to revive his players, much more dashing after the break and who hit more on goal in the second half (15 times) than their hosts on the whole meeting (14)!
“We had control of the match, especially in the first period.
In the second half, we dropped a little with the advantage in the score, we perhaps started to think about the Classic, to have the lead in the Marseille match ... And unconsciously, we dropped a little. "
"
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Except that this is not the first time in recent weeks, whether under Thomas Tuchel or Pochettino, that PSG has plunged in the second half.
It should be noted all the same that the Rouge et Bleu had to do without seven players against Nîmes, including the indispensable Marquinhos, Marco Verratti, Neymar Jr and Keylor Navas.
Although, the latter was perfectly replaced by Sergio Rico, decisive on several occasions Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Barça regains color
Still, Paris has neither shined, nor convinced, nor reassured against the Crocs.
In fact, it is always the same ills that come back, beyond this chronic failure in the second half.
Lack of binder, fire, collective strength and balance, which are all fad for the new Parisian coach.
In short, Pochettino and his staff have been working for a month and we are still waiting to see the beginnings of progress.
Certainly, it is advisable to give time to the Argentinian technician of 48 years, who is not a priori not magician.
But with the knockout stages of the Champions League approaching and Barça which seems to regain color, at least offensively, time is already running out.
"There is still a long way to go, the most important thing is to win, win, win"
Presnel Kimpembe
Not to mention a Ligue 1 more contested than ever.
PSG also only appears in third position in the standings with 48 points, behind the leader of Lille (51 pts) and Lyon (49), but ahead of Monaco (45).
“It's tough, but you have to focus on us,” said Kimpembe of the title fight.
The way is still long.
The most important thing is to win, win, win, even if it's difficult.
We know that our direct competitors are on a good footing, they are very good and in good shape.
And we lost a lot of stupid points. "
As in Lorient last Sunday, for example.
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Pochettino is not hiding.
Ambitious and eager to “win it all”, the former Tottenham coach readily recognizes that his team needs to progress.
“It's a process that will allow us to find more balance over time,” he says.
In football, it's very hard to achieve perfection, but over time you will find a better balance offensively and defensively. ”
In this sense, the trip to the Vélodrome next Sunday, facing a sick OM and, until further notice, without a coach, will serve as a full-scale test.
A Classic, the 100th duel between the two “best enemies” of French football, which the titi Presnel Kimpembe is impatiently awaiting.
“As a Parisian, it is close to my heart.
It's every Parisian's dream to play matches like this.
We're going to go there hoping to bring the three points home, ”he swears, he who had only entered during the game on January 13, against these same Marseillais, during the Champions Trophy (2 -1).
With Neymar in Marseille, Verratti, Marquinhos and Navas too?
"This 3-0 allows us to look calmly towards the next match," nevertheless assures Mauricio Pochettino, to whom we do not need to remind the importance of a Classic, he the former captain of PSG.
"These matches are always different, there is a lot of passion and that means a lot for us, but especially for our supporters", he explains, adding "to hope" for the return of some of the absent players against Nîmes.
Suspended Wednesday, Neymar will be there.
Verratti, Diallo (Covid-19), Herrera and "Marqui" leave with the favor of the forecasts.
Navas too?
The Ultras with a head start which are already projected on next Sunday: "A Classico is played with hatred for the love of the jersey".
#PSGNO#OMPSG@Co_Ultras_Parispic.twitter.com/Q7DT9rli8D
- Christophe Remise (@ CRemise77) February 3, 2021
The Ultras, they are in any case already turned towards OM: "A Classico is played with hatred for the love of the jersey", could we read on a banner deployed at the foot of Auteuil on Wednesday.
The message got through.
But given the tension of the last duels between the two teams, the players probably do not need a booster shot ... While waiting for progress in the game, victory would be enough for their happiness this time.
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League 1 standings
