Diaby : 'Keep helping the team'

Moussa, since the start of the season, you've been playing with the first team... Can you tell us about how you got there?
"It was a long road! I have been at Paris Saint-Germain for seven years. I started at the football school before joining the youth academy. The first years weren't easy because I was never picked for the first team... I think I struggled a bit psychologically. I couldn't concentrate... But I've matured and worked hard to reach my objectives. Today I feel good and I'm happy."

You went out on loan for the second half of last season. What did you learn from that experience?
"I was loaned to Crotone, in the Italian Serie A. It really wasn't easy. I was all on my own, I wasn't playing much, the team was fighting for survival, I didn't speak the language... But then the club got me a teacher and things improved a lot. I really learnt a lot there, especially tactically. I thank Crotone today, because if I'm now playing with the Paris Saint-Germain first team, it's in part thanks to them."

Then you returned to Paris - how did you approach the new season?
"There was a new coach. At the start of the campaign, I wanted to be loaned out again. I spoke a few times with the coach. He didn't want me to go, he said I would play, that he had confidence in me and he liked the way I played. When the coach tells you that, it's very reassuring. But that doesn't mean you don't have to keep working hard. I give my very best in every training session. When he plays me, I try to repay his confidence by playing well and making the difference. For the moment, it's working out. I hope it continues and I hope I keep helping the team."

You played your first match this season against Caen. Looking back, how was that?
"It was a great moment for me. I was so happy to play my first Ligue 1 match for my club. It shows that Paris Saint-Germain has confidence in its young players. I am happy and I hope to continue and play a lot of matches for the club."

You have scored two goals and delivered five assists in just 530 minutes in Ligue 1... Did you expect to be so successful?
"Honestly, no! I didn't expect to play so much for a start. For the moment, everything is going well. I was really very happy to score that first goal, especially at the Parc des Princes. I played the second half against Saint-Étienne and my teammates made me feel right at home. Anything I have achieved is thanks to them. Thiago Silva is a great leader for us young players in his role as captain. Neymar? He gives me a lot of advice. When a player like that gives you advice, it can only be good. I try to listen and do what they say. Other players are also like big brothers. The atmopshere is really good. We laugh a lot, everyone gets a long well, on and off the pitch."

You also made your UEFA Champions League debut…
"Playing in the Champions League has lways been a goal. But I didn't think it would happen so early. But it did, and I'm very happy. Manchester? They are a great team and I think they will be two great matches. It will be very tough because Manchester are in good form. They have quality players."

Do you think of yourself as an attacker or a midfielder?
“I consider myself a wide midfielder. that’s where I started out my career, it’s where I feel best and it’s where I think I can best help the team. But if the coach asks me to play somewhere, I will and I’ll try to do my best to help the team. I need to keep improving, especially defensively. And I can still improve my game offensively too, especially for my positioning between the lines: my teammates tell me to watch Neymar and Draxler for this. When I look at the matches again, I can see that they’re right. Their positioning on the pitch is very important for playing forward. If I can learn to do that better, it will help me in the future.”

What does Paris Saint-Germain represent for you?
“I come from Paris, I have always lived in Paris and I play for Paris. There are a lot of people that have helped me get here and I know who they are. It’s important for me, for my family, my friends. The No.27? I took it because it was free, and also because I used to live at No.27 where I grew up. A model for me when I was young? I always loved Pauleta, I had his jersey when I was young.”