Mauricio Pochettino: ‘A special match’

BarcelonA

"It’s true that this match is special. I signed with the club just 40 days ago and you start to feel that this match is important. Barcelona? With a new coach, you need a certain amount of time to get your project in place. After eight months,  Koeman’s Barça have evolved a lot. With the problems caused by Covid, we are in a different scenario. So it’s only to be expected that with a new coach, it takes a bit of time. His team is more solid now." 

Morale

"The team is still ready, despite the current difficulties. That’s the reality and we will be ready to play to the best of our ability. I have come in to find a fantastic team, with incredible spirit. The players follow our instructions so that we can create an identity together. Our idea is to create an identity which shows exactly what it means to be Paris Saint-Germain. We have come in to a marvellous team. They are all friends and enjoy being together. We are very happy on a human level."

Marco Verratti and Kylian Mbappé

"We are taking it bit by bit. We need to analyse Marco during the training session today, a session that won't be too demanding as we are just 24 hours from the match. We have a strategy and a game plan, and depending on their condition, we will take a decision. I am happy with Kylian's performances since I arrived. Each player has a role and needs to follow it. It's true that the absences of Neymar and Di María are painful but we have a team that is ready to play this match and, if possible, to win it."