For his penultimate press conference of the year before the match, Mauricio Pochettino was relaxed.
In front of the few journalists present in the auditorium of the Camp des Loges, he had fun counting: “one, two, three, four, five… It's good for me to learn French!
»Then he mentioned the meeting of this Sunday evening (9:10 pm), in Valenciennes, against the amateurs of the Feignies-Aulnoye Agreement (N3).
PSG has performed particularly well in the Coupe de France in recent years.
How do you explain it?
MAURICIO POCHETTINO.
It is a competition which has a special attractiveness.
It allows amateurs to participate.
And playing against Feignies-Aulnoye is a possibility for us to share something.
Playing against a 5th division team, from National 3, is something wonderful.
It's passion, emotions, sharing.
That PSG has a tradition, a history in this competition says a lot about the club.
What do you think of the late schedule to which this 32nd finals of the Coupe de France has been scheduled?
It is not the ideal time to play football.
We're going home late.
In view of the preparation for Lorient on Wednesday, this creates a situation that is not easy to manage.
But hey, we understand that PSG is particularly attractive.
It's arguably easier so that as many people as possible can watch the game on TV.
Between the players, the TVs, the supporters, we are in a circle where each party must understand the situation of the others.
Personally, I don't like a schedule.
But you have to accept.
"A knockout competition shows character and determination"
Is there the risk of underestimating the opponent?
Yes, we have always seen in the Cups games where there is sometimes a risk of underestimating.
We believe that respect should be total regardless of the competition and the opponent.
It's already a way of respecting yourself as a professional and respecting your club.
We have always seen it, in France or elsewhere, that if a team of a higher level does not respect its opponent as it should, it will have problems.
Its very important.
This is the key.
It will therefore be necessary to respect Feignies-Aulnoye.
Is PSG a cup team?
I do not know if PSG is a cup team but it is true that the tradition of the Coupe de France is important here.
A knockout competition shows character and determination.
Historically, the PSG since its creation, has always had teams that were characterized by this character, this personality and its combativeness.
See also Coupe de France: Calais, Quevilly, Carquefou ... victims and executioners tell the great feats of history
How will you integrate tomorrow the many young people under 19 who have trained with you since Thursday?
It's a good opportunity for these young people (Editor's note: Édouard Michut, Xavi Simons, El Chadaille Bitshiabu, Ismaël Gharbi and Nathan Nitumazala) to be back with the first team, it's important.
They work well.
And certainly, this Sunday, some will have the opportunity to play.
There are two games left before the holidays.
What will be the priority in the management of the workforce and will Sergio Ramos start this Sunday?
The priority is always to win.
We live in a club, as in all clubs where the priority is to win and to continue to improve.
The management of Sunday and Wednesday matches will be important.
But we have a large workforce.
Young people will be part of this match tomorrow.
It is important for them to feel that they are part of the project.
As for Sergio (Ramos), we'll see if he plays or starts on the bench.
He trained properly.
We'll see.
