After the elimination of his team against Nice (0-0, 5-6 pens), Parisian coach Mauricio Pochettino stopped for a few minutes at a press conference. In particular, there was talk of the lost penalty shootout, the unfortunate Simons, the presence of Mbappé on the bench or the difficulties of his team against Nice.
Can you explain to us the choice of the order of your shooters. Why did Xavi Simons shoot before several internationals such as Presnel Kimpembe, Danilo Pereira or Thilo Kehrer?
“We made the decision related to the first five shooters, which were Leo, Kylian, Paredes, Julian and Marco. We thought we could win with those five, but for the others it depended on how the players felt. They took the places that suited them. Xavi was not my choice. »
Let’s stay on Simons: how was he in the locker room and did he react after his failure on this shot on goal?
“You have to keep absolute confidence in him, like for any other PSG player. He has the same rights. There is logically a great disappointment for him and the others as well. »
Can this elimination have consequences for the end of the PSG season?
” I do not know. What consequences? »
Why did Kylian Mbappé start on the bench? Was he injured? And how do you judge the performance of your team in this match?
“Kylian suffered from discomfort during the last days of training. The advice we had, and the deal made was not to have him start and just let him come in for 30 or 35 minutes. On the game, I think we were better than Nice, and we deserved to win. But we lacked enough to create chances and score. We didn’t create enough to score and win the game before the penalty shootout. Afterwards, it’s a matter of lottery, as for each team, it can happen. Against Montpellier (2-2, 6 to 5 at the TAB in May 2021 in the semi-final of the Coupe de France), we won. »
Disappointment transpires from the offensive animation of the team, and in particular from the link between the middle and the attack. We can only be frustrated with the result given the quality of the players lined up, right?
” Yes of course. It’s not just a question of line, but of the functioning of the collective and of balance. This is what we have been talking about and looking for since the start of the season and looking for. It’s about how we move the ball and find spaces. It’s not easy against a team in 4-4-2, with a low system and no spaces in the back. We did well at times, but did not find the necessary continuity. We have to find more speed and move better. It is clear that the disappointment of the defeat is added to that of not having done better during the 90 minutes of the game.
You often talk about the importance of the lessons that can be learned from a defeat. What are the positive elements or the strengths to be kept for the future and in particular the upcoming confrontation with Real Madrid?
“We are eliminated, so it is difficult to bring out something positive. The knockout matches are different from the others, where you have to show consistency above all else. In these encounters, your fate often depends on luck, especially with penalty shootouts. I think we were better against a difficult team, but couldn’t take our chances for 90 minutes. We are optimistic for the future. We still have competitions to play: Ligue 1 and the Champions League. Circumstances will be different, but we continue to see ahead. »