Mauro Icardi: 'A Classique is still a Classique'
The Paris Saint-Germain forward talks about his spectacular return from injury and his Classique memories.
Mauro, on your return from injury against Brest, you scored one and set up another. Was that the best possible way to mark your comeback?
"It was a difficult period. I think that after two-and-a-half months out with injury, without being able to train with the team, to come back and be able to score a goal and provide an assist for Pablo in the space of half-an-hour was very important. Scoring goals is what gives a striker the necessary confidence to be at 100%. Now, I'm doing well, I feel good."
You also scored in the Trophée des Champions and were named Man of the Match...
"I was lucky enough to score twice last season in my first Classique. It's a very important game. It's great to play a final against Marseille. Of course, we miss the support of the fans, but we know they're watching at home and are behind us. It was special to play the Trophée des Champions, score a goal and be Man of the Match."
You've played in derbies in Italy. Is Paris-Marseille different?
"A Classique is still a Classique. They're the most important games in a season. More than finals, they're the games that change the period in which you find yourselves. Whether you win or lose. It's a very important game that you experience differently. I've been fortunate to go through them in Italy and I think here in France you go through it just like everywhere else in the world."
The fans couldn't come to the stadium, but they came to the airport to welcome you back. Was that special?
"We're missing something inside the stadium. The noise, people singing, clapping...We try to do our best without all that. It's always great to see them at the airport singing when we travel. It's a plus and we miss that because we've not had that human warmth for a long time. From the moment I first went into the Parc des Princes, the fans have been incredible. I've always said it. They support us in every game with passion. For us, it's something inexplicable. Perhaps you don't feel the same thing from the stands, but us down on the pitch, we do. It's wonderful."