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PSG-Angers: "We must remain careful with Verratti", says Pochettino

2021-04-20T15:39:15.409Z


If he can count on Kylian Mbappé against Angers, this Wednesday, the PSG coach will still have to do without his Italian midfielder,


Mauricio Pochettino will indeed rotate his squad on Wednesday against Angers.

One week away from receiving Manchester City in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League, the Argentine coach will have no choice anyway.

On the eve of the SCO's arrival at the Parc des Princes on behalf of the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France (6:45 p.m.), the PSG coach will indeed have to do without the services of Marco Verratti, victim of a blow to a thigh , Rafinha (low back pain), Navas (shoulder), Diallo (calf), Marquinhos (thigh) and, to a lesser extent, Letellier and Bernat, in the recovery phase.

What does the creation of the Super League inspire you?

MAURICIO POCHETTINO

.

It is not easy to express an opinion without having all the details of the case.

We see that there is, on the one hand, a group of clubs which are trying to create a new competition and, on the other, there is UEFA which is trying to improve the current Champions League.

We will wait to see what happens in the coming weeks before giving an opinion.

We are in the race in three competitions.

So at this time of the season, we, the coaches and the players, above all have to focus and keep all our energy for the game.

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How important is this Coupe de France for PSG?

It is important for the players, the club and me.

Like the King's Cup in Spain or the Cup in England, the Coupe de France is a competition that is part of the tradition.

We know that it will not be easy against Angers.

But we have to qualify for the semi-finals.

Should we be worried about the sustained pace of Kylian Mbappé, who has participated in 23 of the 24 games since your arrival?

And conversely, is it worrying to note that Marco Verratti is still injured?

What can I tell you about Kylian?

I hope that he will keep this pace until the end of the season, that he will be able to maintain his level, will remain as available and efficient as today.

Marco's case is different, he suffered from the Covid and came back with a small selection injury.

He also took a hit on Sunday.

We have to be careful with him, the manager as best as possible so that he gets back in shape.

Do you believe your workforce is physically capable of finishing strong on all fronts?

Yes.

With the medical and performance department, we try to put the accent on the individualization of the work so that each player reaches his best state of form.

I am confident in the fact that we are arriving in the best possible conditions for the key moments of the season.

Some like Marco Verratti, who had the Covid, and others, like Diallo, Marquinhos or Kurzawa, who suffered from muscle damage, are a little late.

But I am confident that they will be able to help us by the end of the season.

Do you plan to rotate your squad against Angers?

Yes, chances are there will be changes from this weekend's game.

How do you deal with the pressure inherent in your role as PSG coach?

Honestly, the outside pressure doesn't affect us.

Or in a good sense, it gives us ambition.

But the pressure we have here is the same as when we coached Espanyol Barcelona or England, it forces us to give the best of ourselves.

Has the victory against Saint-Etienne, as you mentioned this weekend, installed a positive energy within your squad over the past two days?

The atmosphere within the group is good and positive.

But I have to say that from day one the energy was positive.

We received a warm and enthusiastic welcome.

We always felt a good disposition in the group to do something good.

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2021-04-20

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