After the defeat of PSG in Strasbourg (1-2), it is a Luis Enrique yet far from being killed who presented himself at a press conference. The coach has practically loved his team, except the result.
Should we worry after such a defeat, or given the context, you will tell us that we cannot win all the matches, including a match between two semi-finals of the Champions League. Should you be understanding?
“Four players in the training center started the game and they were all very good”
“I must say that I am very satisfied with the way my team played, against an opponent who targets a place in the Champions League. It is obvious that it is a strong, physically and technically opponent, with many young players. We played a very high level today, with four players from the training center who started the game – and who were all very good – and we finished the match with five players from the very young team team (editor’s note: U19 and not Espoirs). I don’t know how we say that in French but what. I repeat it, I am very happy with what I saw and I think we have played at the very high level of League 1. And now we will be able to think about the competition in which we are immersed. »»
You have just said you wanted to use these matches to prepare Arsenal and the French Cup final. Do you think you are well prepared with this match?
“Yes, they fulfilled the goals I had in mind. All, except for the result of the match. »»
Would you say that today, in Ligue 1, the result is less than the lessons you learn, now that invincibility is no longer an issue?
“The result could have been different. We were close to equalizing “
“Well, I repeat: I don’t think it is necessary to develop my goals too long. I think they are so clear that it is almost ridiculous to comment on them. I repeat: I am very happy to have been able to see a competitive team and to have achieved all the objectives that I had set myself before the match next Wednesday. All, with the exception of the result of course. And I even think that the result could have been different. We were close to equalizing. We had opportunities to do so. I think our ambition was obvious. »»
-Barcola scored a goal full of personality. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen it like that. Is this one of the satisfaction of the match for you?
“I am not used to valuing or distinguishing players depending on the goals they score or the decisive passes they make. I repeat: in general, I think we played a good level. All, Barcola included. »»
You have made a lot of changes compared to the starting 11 against Arsenal. Mikel Arteta who is in a very different situation in the league has made very little change. From experience, with hindsight, what is the most effective: maintaining your players under pressure or using these rest beaches?
“Everyone has their own way of managing this, everyone has their own calendar, everyone has their own meetings. It is certain that the context around Arsenal is different from the context around Luis Enrique and PSG, clearly different. I can already say that the one who will go to the final will be the one who has managed to manage the situation. Everyone does what they think is the best for their team. Mikel Arteta will do this, Luis Enrique will do this. And in this sense, I don’t have much to add. We adapted to the calendar every time we had to play.
Before the first leg, we made a choice [limiter la rotation] and them (arsenal), that of resting players. Today was the opposite. In short, everyone manages this in the way they consider appropriate but with the objective that it is beneficial (for the team), there is no doubt. »»
You came across a proactive team today who wanted to go and pick up the Champions League. Do you see at Rosenior (Strasbourg coach) a desire to build a positional game in Spanish?
“(The Strasbourg team) I really liked it. I must say that it is a team which plays very well in football and which, by certain aspects, can be compared to Paris Saint-Germain in the sense that it is in permanent movement, that it plays on mobility and that it does it well, with very strong physically, young and technically gifted players. I find that it is a very interesting team, very pleasant to look at, entertaining for the spectator. She fights for a place in the Champions League, it is one of the surprises of the championship. This is why I think they work very well and that it is a difficult team to face. »»
Can you tell us more about Lee Kang-in that we saw leaving by boxing?
“He received a very violent blow to the Tibia. It doesn’t seem very serious but he had to go out by lodging. But I don’t think it’s very serious. »»
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