Bakker: 'Great fun with the team'
Paris Saint-Germain full-back Mitchel Bakker, who started both triumphant Cup finals for the capital club at the Stade de France, spoke to PSG TV about an exciting end to the season.
Mitchel, it's been a busy month of July for you... how was it?
"We have been working very hard since we returned to training. The squad wants to play well. We played a lot of matches in July and on a personal note, I have been playing a lot and having a lot of fun with the team. I played a few matches before the lockdown, and I've played a lot since. It's great."
How did you find out you were playing in the Coupe de France final?
"In the final training session before the game, I started to get the feeling I could be playing... Then on the day of the match, at the team meeting before the game, I saw my name on the team sheet. I was really very happy to be starting the game. When the meeting was over, I called my parents and sent a few messages to my friends. I was very happy."
A week later, you won a second trophy after another tough game...
"The final against Lyon was a very different game because Lyon are a very good side, very strong, a side that are still in the Champions League. The match was very long... no goals... And penalties are always 50-50. Keylor helped us get the win and that's the most important thing."
How is your relationship with Thomas Tuchel?
"The coach talks to me a lot. He asks me to play simple, to play neat football. He gives me a lot of advice and I follow it to the letter. I can help the team going forward, but my job, first and foremost, is to defend well. Since I've been in Paris, I have grown in confidence. My game has progressed but, above all, I'm learning every day."