And a candle for Mauricio Pochettino!
Appointed on January 2, 2021, the Argentinian begins this Monday evening in Vannes (9:10 p.m.), in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France, the first match of the rest of his career at the head of PSG.
For a few weeks, a few months or a few years?
This is no longer the subject of the moment in Paris.
Very philosopher this Sunday at a press conference, Mauricio Pochettino remembers "many positive things, others more negative" on this first year in France.
While recalling that "football is not a drama" in comparison with the world health situation.
In this regard, PSG begins 2022 with four proven cases of Covid-19, including star Lionel Messi, side Juan Bernat, goalkeeper Sergio Rico and young Nathan Bitumazala.
They will therefore be out of the group leaving for Brittany on Monday, just like Neymar, authorized to continue his treatment in Brazil until January 9.
Unlike Marquinhos, Leandro Paredes, Angel Di Maria and Mauro Icardi, only returned to Paris on Sunday, but who should travel to Vannes and take place at least on the bench.
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The return of our South Americans đ # VOCPSG pic.twitter.com/0j5mrc02D0
- Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) January 2, 2022
Absences, a maximum of two collective sessions in the legs for the others, the preparation is found disrupted. But, again, Pochettino puts it into perspective. âWe had priorities and the first was to cut, to find our families after intensive months, says the technician. It was fundamental, for the players and the staff. Respect (for Vannes) depends on the attitude on the pitch. The team will be competitive. There will be no excuse. Last year, we also only had two training sessions before our first match in Saint-Etienne. We had recovered a team after 10 or 11 days of rest and with 11 or 12 injured. We are in a better situation today. "
Faced with a team from the fourth national level, the names of the Parisians at the kick-off will remain buzzing.
Presnel Kimpembe, Marco Verratti, Georginio Wijnaldum or Kylian Mbappé should start, surrounded by reinforcements from the red and blue training center like Xavi Simons or Eric Dina Ebimbe.
With this hybrid collective, PSG avoided the trap facing the fans of Feignies-Aulnoye (3-0) in the previous round, mid-December.
The mission will be similar on Monday, so as not to spoil Pochettino's first birthday.