Layvin Kurzawa: "Happy to carry on the adventure"

Layvin, you've just signed a contract linking you to Paris Saint-Germain for another four seasons. What's your feeling about it?
"I'm very proud about it! I'm very happy to carry on the adventure here. I've been here for five years already, and now for another four. It's great! I'm going to make the most of it and give everything for the club. I'm going to work, and give it my all. I know that in giving it everything, it will go well. For me, that's the most important thing."

What differences are there between the Layvin Kurzawa who arrived at the club and the Layvin Kurzawa of today? 
"He's five years older! I think I have matured. When I arrived I was young and a bit crazier! Since then a lot of things have changed in my life, and I've become a father. I think that's also what allowed me to extend my contract. I've become more mature, I'm much calmer. I think it's an important point in terms of the club's thinking."

Can you describe to us your relationship with Thomas Tuchel ?
"I have a very good relationship with him. That meant I had a lot of game time this season. Unfortunately, then came the confinement. I was able to play several games despite my status as back-up to Juan (Bernat). That was also a sign of confidence from him as I didn't think I'd play as many games. Notably, I played in the Round of 16 of the Champions League against Dortmund, and that was great for me. That's why today I don't really have the words to describe it and I'm very happy to have signed for four years more."

How was confinement for me?
"I saw the good side of things. It meant I could see my daughter grow up and spend time with my young family. We had fun making videos and posting them on the social networks. The time went slowly for us because us players are used to being at training all the time, but the confinement did go well."

And what was it like learning that Paris Saint-Germain had become champions at a distance?
"It was a bit bizarre! We would have preferred to have finished the league season, but that didn't happen. There are more important things in life, notably the health of everybody. We're proud despite everything, it's another title, but it does leave a bit of a bitter taste in the mouth because we couldn't finish the league season."

And what was it like all being back together at the Ooredoo Training Centre? 
"We'd been waiting for that for a long time. We weren't on holiday and we were confined at home. We were lacking something, we were missing being on the pitch and in the dressing room... We were all very happy being back together. The atmosphere was different. We'd missed each other a lot!"

And how are you approaching the upcoming competitive matches for the club, that is to say the finals of the Coupe de la Ligue and the Coupe de France, and the final 8 of the UEFA Champions League?
"It's up to us to work hard in training. Unlike the other clubs involved, we won't have had the chance to have played high intensity games. We'll need to make the most of the training sessions in order to get back to our best when the time comes. But I have faith in my teammates in order that they'll be ready when the time comes."

And what do you think of the new format of the UEFA Champions League?
"Given the context, I think it's the best possible format. They couldn't have done any better. I hope it will all go well. In any case, we'll make sure it goes as well as possible for us!"