Mauricio Pochettino: "An important match"

THE MATCH AGAINST NICE

"The match against Nice is our priority and it's a very important game for us. We need to send out the strongest and fittest team we have available in order to win the game. Since my arrival, the coaching staff and I know that every game is important. A victory will give us confidence for the following match."

STATE OF THE SQUAD

"Marco Verratti is unavailable for tomorrow's game as he is still feeling the injury he suffered against Marseille. We'll see in the days to come. We can't go back in time and we have two creative players unavailable but we have a quality squad and we have every confidence in this squad in order to find the necessary answers, whether it's in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France or in the Champions League."

NEYMAR JR

"I spoke to Neymar after his medical tests. He had already made it clear how sad he is not to be able to help the team in the games to come. We'll do everything we can to get him back as quickly as possible and make sure that he's good from a mental standpoint. He's a very strong lad, someone who you get attached to, who gives everything for the team. Every day he shows his commitment to the club. It's a pleasure to work with him and we wish him a prompt recovery in order to help the team and so he can do what he does best, that's play football."

MARCO VERRATTI

"Marco Verratti has a reading of the game and an ability to adapt that are very important to us. He's versatile and can be used in different ways on the field. He's very versatile and he enriches our team play and adds variety to it."