Mauricio Pochettino: 'Winning is always a challenge'

MONACO

"I don't think it's revenge because Monaco beat us at the Parc last season (0-2, 21/02/2021). We beat them in the French Cup final (2-0, 19/05/2021). The most important thing is to win every game. Winning is always a challenge. It's a challenge because Monaco is a very good team, one of the most competitive in Ligue 1, that played in the preliminary rounds of the Champions League and is currently playing in the Europa League. We will have to be professional and do everything to win. It will be a good match, and it will be hard fought. We expect a difficult match, against a great coach and great players."

Fitness

"The team is in a very good physical condition. We were able to recover well after the match against Brugge, with a special focus on recovery. We are very happy with the players' fitness, even if we can still improve."

ASSESSMENT OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON

"In terms of results, it's very positive. We are disappointed not to have finished first in our group in the Champions League because we only lost one game and Manchester City lost two. But we know that we can improve on our performances. We'd like to be able to perform at a high level for 90 minutes on a regular basis. It's difficult. The level is high in Ligue 1 and in Europe."

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

"The competition requires us to improve and perform well in every game. Before February and the round of 16, there are other games. One of the club's objectives is certainly to win the Champions League, but we must also be focused on the next match. Monaco, then the French Cup, Lorient, the break... We only think about the next match in order to get closer to our goal step by step. The draw for the last 16? Honestly, all the teams in the competition have assets and are very good. It doesn't matter who the opponent is, we are Paris Saint-Germain and we have to beat all the teams."