This Monday, Mauricio Pochettino, PSG coach, was at a press conference at Camp Nou, 24 hours from the knockout stages of the Champions League between Barcelona and Paris.
He ensures, in particular, that his team, despite the prejudicial absences of Neymar and Di Maria, is ready.
How do you see the meeting?
MAURICIO POCHETTINO.
It's a special game.
When we signed up with PSG, only forty days ago, we felt that this date of February 16 was very important.
You can feel it everywhere in the team.
It is clear that it is a goal of the club to win this competition.
Is your team ready?
Of course the team is always ready.
No coach will say otherwise before a game.
The conditions are what they are, but we'll be ready.
Did you speak to the group about the episode of the remorada, in 2017?
History is history, and there is a different reality, with a different group.
We cannot change the past but we can build a better future.
This is the idea of the club.
If Verratti plays, is it at the heart of the game?
We're going step by step.
We must first analyze the feelings of Marco during today's training
(Editor's note: this Monday)
, which will not be a demanding session.
Of course we have a game plan and we will make a decision based on each other's form.
Will Mbappé have a key role in the absence of Neymar and Di Maria?
I expect what I always expect from great players like Kylian.
I am very happy with his performance from the start.
Each player has their role and must follow it.
It is clear that the absences are important but we have a very motivated team to play this match.
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Have Barcelona changed a lot this season?
New coaches always need a certain amount of time to respond to the project, to the needs and to see the results of the philosophy implemented.
Barça, after eight months with Ronald Koeman, has changed a lot.
All coaches need some time.
Koeman got it.
And his team is much stronger.
This is no surprise to me.
I admired Koeman as a player, I admire him today as a coach.