– Do you think that Thursday’s match against Ukraine is primarily a qualification game, or do you expect an exhibition match from the point of view of the game?
– All matches are useful. Some are memorable for different reasons. It was impossible to qualify, even after winning in Iceland (2:2). We have 10 points. We are aware that the match on Thursday can secure us an exit, but it was the previous four matches that allowed us to find ourselves in this tournament situation. You can’t lose your composure. There are many missing. Injuries in September, October, November did not allow us to get more playfulness, automatisms. March is still far away. So you have to do everything to reach the goal already on Thursday.
– Ryan Sherkey has some attacking freedom in your system: how would you describe his qualities? And do you think it is more effective as a replacement?
– Ryan has the technical ability to make the difference with a pass or a goal. He has freedom, but everything depends on the zone in which he is. We cannot afford to lose a player when we don’t have the ball. There is effort to be made. He has that ability to impact a game coming off the bench. This is positive. But Ryan is also capable of starting matches and being decisive.
– Bradley Barkola recently talked about fatigue. How do you rate his form?
– “Barko” feels good. At the beginning of the year he was in excellent condition with us, then he played less for the club. In the last two weeks, PSG played six matches in fifteen days. He did not come out in Lyon (3:2). Feels good, has good feelings. This is an important element. Accumulating matches can be tiring, but so far it’s fine, no issues.
– How do you explain that no French coach currently leads a club in the Champions League?
– I’m sorry. I think French coaches are underrated. Already even in France. And there are fewer and fewer of them abroad. Are we worse than others? No. It is a pity to me that many French coaches do not occupy the positions they deserve. These statistics are disappointing. But this does not call into question the quality of our specialists. A lot of work needs to be done to reverse this trend.
– Is it difficult to abstract from the difficult context after commemorating the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris and Saint-Denis in 2015?
– Few (of the players) were in the team then. We fully understand that this is part of the context. This is not a taboo subject. But the match is important. It is difficult for me to talk about it – because of restraint. There is a duty of memory and sympathy to families who have lost loved ones. We accept this context. But it’s just a football match. It’s nothing compared to what happened.
– Are you not disappointed with the development of Eduardo Kamavinga in recent years?
– He has injuries, not too serious, but they prevent him from playing consistently. He wants to perform better. It’s not a matter of frustration. Before that, he did not play for six months. Now in the last two weeks he has played more than in the previous six months. It takes time to get into a rhythm. He came to us very early, he has many qualities.
– How do you assess the return of N’Golo Kante?
– N’Golo feels good. Always smiling. “NG” maintains its level of play, has more matches this season, because his club plays in the Asian Champions League. He is still at the highest level. He has a lot of experience and the necessary qualities for such matches.
