Kimpembe: 'We are the team to beat'

When you returned from the World Cup, you found a few changes at the club... Did you expect to make such a great start to the campaign?
"Everyone has the aim of making a great start to the season. But from there to winning 14 in a row... you can't expect that to happen. We are all very proud of such a great record. We didn't know what could happen for the rest of the season, but we wanted to get as many wins as possible. It was good. But we didn't want to stop at 14."

Paris Saint-Germain are always the favourite, but the matches are tougher and tougher, especially away from home...
"They are always tough games and you can't take anything lightly. Even the atmosphere can change the course of a match. Even if we are favourites, they are all good teams in Ligue 1. And when you play away, you know it's not going to be easy. It's the same for them when they come to us with our fans. We are stronger with our 12th man. It's the same for our opponents, especially since we are the team to beat. It's extra motivation for our opponents."

Take Nîmes for example, when you had a big role to play in the victory...
"It was a very difficult game away to Nîmes, with a great atmopshere inside the stadium. It was just my second game of the season after the World Cup. We are struggling a little. It was 2-2 and they had just hit the crossbar. They were coming forward again and I managed to get in front of my man and win the ball. I could have given it to Neymar who was in a good position, but then I saw Kylian. I know how fast he is, so I put it over the top and gave him something to chase. We all know how fast Kylian is. He got in front of his man and scored a magnificent goal. I wouldn't have had the legs to go all the way alone. I let my attackers do that job... they're better qualified than me!"

Another very important match for Paris Saint-Germain this year was the 5-0 win over Lyon... but it didn't really go your way...
"It was a very difficult match because Lyon had the better of the opening 15 minutes. But we scored first and came the red card. I was very frustrated because I didn't do it on purpose. When you watch the replay, you can see Memphis blocked me and I lost my balance. I tackled with my right foot and I never tackle with my right foot... I didn't hurt Tanguy (Ndombele) but I did make contact with his shin. Then they got a red card and the game really opened up and Kylian scored those four goals and we got the win."

Thomas Tuchel arrived with a new approach, a new mentality and you had to adapt...
"Yes, of course. It was a different way of playing with a new philosophy. I think it's good for our culture to learn new things. I was used to playing in a four-man defence. Playing with three at the back means I've developped other qualities. The rest of the team too. It's good. We had to adapt very quickly. It's hard work, but it's good to learn something new."